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Iniidae - South American river dolphins

There are two species of dolphin in this family, the Amazon River dolphin and the Franciscana or the La Plata River Dolphin. They are found in South America.

The Amazon river dolphin is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. The La Plata River Dolphin is found in shallow coastal waters in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.

The Amazon river dolphin is also known as the boto. It is bluish-gray to white or even pink. It has a bulging forehead, small eyes, and a large beak.

Some of the vertebrae in its neck are unfused, so it has a very flexible neck and can move its head more freely than other dolphins.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

New Hampshire Species		North/Central American Species
None		None
Other Species Around the World
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH Species
Amazon River Dolphin - Inia geoffrensis		La Plata River Dolphin - Pontoporia blainvillei
Additional Information Key: Profile Photos Video Audio Amazon River Dolphin - Inia geoffrensis The Amazon river dolphin is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience:General Reading Level: Middle School Amazon River Dolphin - Inia geoffrensis The Amazon river dolphin is found in slow-moving rivers and streams. Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Amazon River Dolphin - Inia geoffrensis The Amazon river dolphin feeds in shallow water on fish. Source: Convention on Migratory Species Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Amazon River Dolphin - Inia geoffrensis The Amazon river dolphin is around 6.5 feet in length. Source: Rainforest Alliance Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School La Plata River Dolphin - Pontoporia blainvillei The La Plata River Dolphin is found in shallow coastal waters in eastern South America. Source: Convention on Migratory Species Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School La Plata River Dolphin - Pontoporia blainvillei The La Plata River Dolphin is the only river dolphin that is found in salt water. Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience:General Reading Level: Middle School La Plata River Dolphin - Pontoporia blainvillei The La Plata River Dolphin is about six feet in length. Source: American Cetacean Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Iniidae - South American river dolphins

New Hampshire Species

North/Central American Species

Other Species Around the World

Additional Information

Explore the Natural World - Local & National PBS Video