Bufeo

Bufeo is the common name for the Amazon river dolphin, a freshwater toothed whale native to the river systems of northern South America. It is also known as boto or pink river dolphin in some regions.

Taxonomy and classification: The bufeo belongs to the family Iniidae, genus Inia. The most widely recognized species is Inia geoffrensis. Some classifications treat Inia boliviensis as a separate species or subspecies, reflecting geographic variation in the Bolivian and upper Amazon basins.

Distribution and habitat: Bufeos inhabit the Amazon and Orinoco basins and adjacent drainages. They live in rivers, floodplains, and lakes, often in turbid, shallow waters. They rely on echolocation to navigate and locate prey in low-visibility environments.

Description: They have a long beak, a rounded head, and a robust body. Color ranges from gray to pink, with pink coloration often more pronounced in adults. Length typically reaches about 2 to 2.5 meters.

Behavior and diet: Bufeos are social and form small groups, though larger gatherings can occur during migration or feeding. Their diet consists mainly of fish, but may include crustaceans and other aquatic prey. They depend on echolocation and sensitive snouts to detect prey in murky water.

Reproduction and lifecycle: Maturity is reached after several years; calves are cared for by mothers for extended periods. Reproduction rates are relatively slow.

Conservation status and threats: The bufeo is listed as endangered or vulnerable in regional assessments, facing threats from bycatch in fishing nets, habitat loss and fragmentation from dams, pollution, and hunting. Conservation efforts include protected areas, river management measures, and responsible ecotourism practices.

Cultural significance: In Amazonian cultures, bufeeos appear in folklore and are a focus of wildlife tourism in the region.