How are porpoises?

Dolphins look very different from marine dolphins. First of all, they are pink. Born
gray, adult dolphins on the Amazon River turn pink or pink when they mature,
with males being larger and rosier than females. This is not the only difference.
With low, streak-like dorsal fins, long, thin snouts, bulky bodies, plump cheeks
and round, bulbous foreheads, dolphins have developed a unique appearance.

Even with their generously sized heads, the porpoises have very small eyes. This
may lead you to think that river dolphins struggle to see, but in reality, their vision
is really very good. Aided by their neck vertebrae, they can get a good look at
their underwater worlds by turning their heads in all directions and checking
things from all angles.

Porpoise babies are born with a bluish-gray color and become more pink as they
age. Mature males are more rosy than females, which may have to do with their
propensity to fight. When the wounds heal, they are covered with pink scar tissue
that ends up replacing your gray skin.

How is the life of a dolphin?

Generally found in isolation, in pairs of calves or in small pods of 3 or 4

individuals, porpoises are rarely found in large groups. Although sometimes 20 to
40 porpoises can be found feeding together in an area, this is not particularly
common and they generally prefer to remain alone.

Helping them to hunt and feed, the dolphins of the Amazon River have agile and
maneuverable bodies. Right-handed swimmers, they can easily cross
submerged trees and bushes to find their food. Aided by their large
paddle-shaped fins, which can move independently of each other, the dolphins
are natural gymnasts, swimming backwards, upside down and spinning like
professionals. As you can imagine, this is very useful when your prey is fast and
prone to take refuge in hard to reach places.

Active day and night, porpoises are quite inquisitive beings. The dolphins of the
Amazon River are known for approaching canoes, grabbing the fishermen's oars
with their beaks and taking the prize. They can also throw sticks and weeds, pull
grass underwater and play with turtles, snakes and fish.

What do porpoises eat?

Interestingly, dolphins on the Amazon River are the only dolphins that have the
equivalent of molar teeth, just like us. They use these teeth to chew their food
before swallowing. They are not very busy eaters, porpoises enjoy a varied diet
of more than 40 species of fish, shrimp, crabs and turtles.

Where do porpoises live?

Despite the understandable connection that people often make with dolphins and
the open sea, porpoises live only in fresh water - often thousands of kilometers
from the sea. Living in huge rivers, small tributaries, lakes, flooded forests and
submerged fields, porpoises can be found in six countries: Bolivia, Brazil,
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. These include populations residing
throughout the Amazon and the Orinoco River systems, as well as the Araguaia
River in Brazil.