botos

Botos are freshwater dolphins native to the river basins of South America, especially the Amazon and Orinoco. The term is used for several species and is also part of Brazilian folklore, where the boto is portrayed as a shapeshifting river spirit.

The group includes the Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), commonly known as the pink river dolphin, the Araguaian river dolphin (Inia araguaiaensis), described as a separate species in the 21st century, and the tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis), the gray river dolphin that inhabits both rivers and coastal waters in the region. These species differ in size, coloration, and distribution but share adaptations to freshwater life, such as flexible skulls and echolocation.

Distribution and habitat are centered on South American freshwater systems. Amazon and Orinoco basin rivers host most populations, with some species occupying floodplains and, in certain areas, estuarine environments. They are adapted to murky, complex river habitats where navigation relies on echolocation.

Physical characteristics vary among species. The pink river dolphin can appear gray to pink, with a long, slender beak and large dorsal crest in some individuals; body length can reach roughly 2 to 2.5 meters in adults. Tucuxis are generally smaller, around 1.4 meters, with a gray coloration. All have paddle-shaped tails and are master divers, using echolocation to locate prey.

Conservation is a common concern. Threats include bycatch in fishing gear, habitat degradation, pollution, dam construction, and boat traffic. Several boto populations are considered threatened or vulnerable, reflecting broader pressures on freshwater ecosystems.

Culturally, botos feature in folklore across the region, where the boto is said to transform into a human or interact with communities, underscoring their prominence in local traditions.