Bolivian river dolphin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bolivian river dolphin |
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Inia
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| Species: |
boliviensis
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The Bolivian river dolphin (Inia boliviensis) is a special type of dolphin that lives in freshwater rivers. It belongs to the Inia family of dolphins. These amazing creatures are found in the rivers of Bolivia, a country in South America.
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About the Bolivian River Dolphin
The Bolivian river dolphin was first noticed by a French explorer named Alcide d'Orbigny in 1832. For a while, scientists thought it was just a type of Amazonian river dolphin. But later, they found some key differences. The Bolivian river dolphin has a slightly different body shape. Also, it lives in rivers that are separated from the Amazonian dolphins by waterfalls. This means they don't mix much.
Why Scientists Study Them
Scientists study these dolphins to understand them better. It's hard to study them because there aren't many of them. This makes it tough to get enough dolphins for big scientific studies.
Scientists have looked at their genes and bodies. They found that the waterfalls, like the Teotônio waterfall, act like a natural wall. This wall stops dolphins from moving between different river areas. Even if some genes could pass through, the different river environments would still make the dolphins look and act differently.
How They Are Classified
For a long time, scientists debated if the Bolivian river dolphin was its own species or just a subspecies. A subspecies is like a special group within a species.
In 2012, it was officially called its own species. This was because of its unique body features and its isolated home. However, more recent studies in 2016 looked at their DNA more closely. These studies suggested they might be a subspecies after all. This shows that science is always learning new things!
In September 2012, the President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, made a law to protect this dolphin. He said it was a national treasure.
The explorer Alcide d'Orbigny spent time in Bolivia from 1831 to 1833. When he returned to France, he wrote about his discoveries. He described the "Inia boliviensis" as a new type of dolphin. Later, in 1847, he and another scientist compared it to the Amazon river dolphin. For over 100 years, they were thought to be the same.
But in 1973, a new study found that Bolivian dolphins had more teeth. Also, the rapids and waterfalls of the Madeira River kept the populations separate. So, the Bolivian river dolphin became a subspecies. Later, more studies showed even more differences. This led to it being called its own species again. But even today, scientists sometimes still discuss its exact classification.
What They Look Like
The Bolivian river dolphin, also called Inia boliviensis, is one of four freshwater river dolphin species in South America. Local people sometimes call them "bufeos." You can find them in certain rivers in the Upper Madeira Basin of the Bolivian Amazon.
These dolphins are separated from their Amazonian cousins by rapids and waterfalls. The pink river dolphin, which is related, is the biggest freshwater dolphin in the world. It can grow up to 2.8 meters (about 9 feet) long. It can also weigh as much as 180 kilograms (about 400 pounds).
Compared to the Amazonian river dolphin, the Bolivian river dolphin has more teeth. It also has a slightly smaller head and a longer body.
What They Eat
Scientists have studied what Bolivian river dolphins eat by looking at deceased dolphins. They found that these dolphins eat many different kinds of fish. They also eat crabs. It's interesting to note that the fish they eat are usually not the same ones that humans catch for food.
Unique Observations
It can be hard to see these dolphins because the river water is often murky. But in April 2022, some scientists took pictures of Bolivian river dolphins. They saw them playing with a large snake, which was likely a Beni Anaconda. This was a very rare and exciting sight!
Dangers They Face
The Amazon river dolphin, which is related, is considered endangered. This means it's at high risk of disappearing forever. The Bolivian river dolphin faces many similar dangers.
One big problem is overfishing. This happens when too many fish are caught, leaving less food for the dolphins. Deforestation, which is cutting down forests, also hurts them. It can change the rivers where they live.
Another threat comes from hydroelectric dams. These dams are built to make electricity. But they can block the rivers and change the dolphins' homes. Fishermen can also see dolphins as competition for fish. Sadly, some dolphins have been found with injuries from fishing nets. Others have cuts that were likely caused by humans.
River dolphins are some of the most endangered marine animals in the world. This is because they live in small areas and face many threats from human activities.
Protecting Them
Since 2008, two large hydroelectric dams have been built in the rivers where Bolivian river dolphins live. These dams have created two big lakes, or reservoirs. The dams have special ways to help fish move between these lakes. This is supposed to stop fish populations from being cut off.
However, it's unlikely that the Bolivian river dolphins can use these fish transports. The transports are shallow and narrow. They also have fast-moving water. Dolphins can only swim fast for short times. So, these transports act like a wall, separating dolphin groups. The dams can also change the types of fish in the river. This can affect what the dolphins eat.
How We Can Help
To help these amazing freshwater dolphins, we need to protect their homes. Here are some important steps:
- Protect areas from too much human activity.
- Limit boat traffic in dolphin habitats.
- Create better passageways for animals through dams.
- Work with fishermen so they can live alongside wildlife.
Keeping their habitats safe is very important. It helps keep many different species alive. It also helps keep the river ecosystems healthy and complex.
Behavior
Bolivian river dolphins are often hard to see. They usually swim below the surface of the water. This makes them quite shy and elusive.
In August 2021, a research team saw something amazing. They watched two young male dolphins near the Tijamuchi River. The dolphins were playing with a Beni anaconda snake. This shows that these dolphins can be playful and curious.
See also
In Spanish: Delfín boliviano para niños
- List of cetacean species
