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Swimming with Pink Dolphins in the Amazon

With a brush with an anaconda under our belts, it was time to seek out some other Amazonian wildlife. This time we took to the river to swim with pink dolphins.

Amazon pink dolphins or Inia geoffrensis are one of just a handful of river dolphin species around the world and are unique to the Amazon and Orinoco river systems in South America. They have unique physical adaptations that make them well suited to their environments, such as a bulbous head, ridge instead of a fin and long nose for snatching fish and crabs in hollows, as well as an unfused neck vertebrae allowing it to move its head up to 180 degrees to maneuver around trees, especially important when the river floods and the forest floor becomes part of their habitat.

As to why they are pink? Well, there isn’t consensus on that, but there are two major schools of thought. The first centers around their environment – the color of the water they live in and what they eat from the river system. The fact that river dolphins vary in color is good evidence of this. They seem to be grayer in clearer waters, while those who live in more discolored water due to the decaying vegetation that has fallen in it, are more on the brownish/pinkish side. Some sources state water temperature also plays a role.

The second theory relates to the blood vessels under the skin. Pink dolphins have thinner skin than your marine dolphin so their blood vessels are said to be more visible. The pinkish color is therefore just its own blood. Some say that the dolphins get pinker with age as their veins become more visible and skin more translucent.

They can also temporarily become a very vivid pink at times of excitement and hence react very similarly to humans when they blush.

In fact, pink dolphins are said to have many similarities with humans and Amazonian legend tells of the pink dolphins being shape-shifters known as encantado that have the ability to change into human form and back again. At night, they are believed to change into the form of men and seduce human women on the banks before returning to the river in dolphin form. This legend is said to originate from the similarity in genitalia between the pink dolphin and humans.

What’s more, they are extremely intelligent. Studies show that pink dolphins have 40% greater brain capacity compared with humans. It’s no wonder then that these clever creatures love to play a game or two when they have company.

Our guide stopped the boat someway down the river. It was silent and the water still. While no signs of animal life, we knew very well by now what lurked beneath – alligators, caimans, piranhas… After surveying the area, our guide announced that pink dolphins were here. Exactly how he knew this, I don’t know. “Get in”, he said.

Seeing our hesitation, he explained that if pink dolphins are here, the alligators and caimans aren’t. Dolphins utilize sonar, or sound navigation ranging, whereby they emit sounds and wait for the sounds to hit objects and come back (much like an echo). They can therefore sense objects in the water from a distance – even interpreting the type of object and exactly how far away it is. It’s safe for now.

To prove it, he jumped in first. After the inevitable jokes of being pulled down by an alligator, we decided to join him too.

Swimming with pink dolphins in the Amazon, Bolivia

The Amazon water was incredibly difficult to swim in. Even to tread water felt like a battle to keep your head above the surface despite how quickly you moved your arms and legs.

Swimming with pink dolphins in the Amazon, Bolivia

Then the dolphins came out to play. Cheekily playing hide and seek with us, this was the best photo we could catch of our clever playmates.

Swimming with pink dolphins in the Amazon, Bolivia

One of our travel companions was nudged under the water and his scream was indicative of just how nervous we all were.

Not long after, we all managed to haul ourselves up out of the murky water back onto the boat. Happy to have life and limb, and blessed to have seen these beautiful and endangered creatures in the wild, we headed back to camp.

We did get to meet a piranha, but it was at the end of our fishing rod.

Piranha, Amazon, Bolivia

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5 Tips for Exploring the Amazon River – Food and Travel Blog

Tuesday 14th of May 2019

[…] can also go swimming with pink river dolphins, or even sign up for Wildlife Sanctuary volunteer work. Not to worry, this type of volunteering […]

The 25 Best Wildlife Sightings in the Tropics - TourTheTropics.com

Thursday 21st of January 2016

[…] And yes, dolphins come in pink. Pink dolphins live throughout the Amazon Basin but seem most often encountered in tributaries close to the Amazon River. Pink dolphins are river dolphins and have a flexible neck helping with maneuverability while navigating the waterways and finding food. They have a very curious, inquisitive, and friendly nature and often approach swimmers or canoeing tourists to investigate their presence. Living in the Amazon’s rivers for hundreds of years, pink dolphins are quite large and reach about 3 meters in length. They are relatively abundant, but are locally endangered to vulnerable in some areas, most notably due to the effect of freshwater dams. They are often found scouting the river bottom for catfish, crabs, small river fish and turtles, which is thought to be helped by their flexible neck. Great places to see pink dolphins are from Manaus in northern Brazil, the pampas area in Bolivia near the Amazon, or Iquitos in northern Peru, such as by enjoying a stay at the highly acclaimed Tahuayo Lodge and especially its Amazon Research Center. A travel blogger who enjoyed seeing wild pink river dolphins is Jessica Korteman from Notesofnomads.com. […]

Throwback Thursday: Monkeying Around - Notes of Nomads

Friday 11th of July 2014

[…] Amazonian Pampas in Bolivia was full of close animal encounters – searching for anacondas, swimming with pink dolphins and even touching an alligator. And while the pink dolphins did playful well, for downright cheek […]

Joseph

Saturday 25th of May 2013

You did well to even get a picture. Those dolphins can fairly move.

Thanks for the theories on why they are pink. I think I prefer the thin-skinned explanation best of all.

Jessica Korteman

Sunday 26th of May 2013

Thanks, Joseph! They certainly are difficult to catch on camera so we were glad to be able to snap this one!

I always love to know the origins/theories behind things, so glad you found the info useful :)

Now off to read about this Chilean Dolphin :)

Jessica of HolaYessica

Monday 15th of April 2013

Sounds great! I think I would have screamed if one of them nudged me too.

I didn't even know there was such a thing as pink dolphins - it's like my five-year-old self's dream come to life!

Jessica Korteman

Monday 15th of April 2013

I know! It's such a magical idea, isn't it?! Many people think we are joking when they ask about our travels in Bolivia. Looking forward to following your adventures in Spain! Who knows, might see you there next year! :)

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