An Amazon river dolphin jumping in a flooded forest in Rio Negro, Brazil. The pink river dolphin can even change the shape of their melon, which researchers believe could help them change the echolocation's pulse direction, size and/or frequency. Yes, the dolphin’s distinctive forehead is called a melon, and it houses the dolphin's echolocation system. They have a prominent, bulging forehead, known as a ‘melon’. They have sharp, pointy teeth at the front for catching prey, and – like humans – flatter teeth at the back for grinding. ![]() What does an Amazon river dolphin look like?Īside from their distinctive pink hue, Amazon river dolphins have a robust body with a fusiform shape (a tapered spindle shape) and a long snout (the technical term for which is a ‘rostrum’) filled with two types of teeth. It is also possible that hormones, stress, or other factors may play a role in the colour of the pink river dolphin. Some studies have suggested that the pink colouration may be related to skin thickness, which can affect how much blood shows through the skin. In addition, a combination of genetics and environmental factors likely plays a part. Their final hue is influenced by many things, including behaviour, diet and how close their capillaries are to the skin,” explains biologist and author Helen Pilcher. They are born grey and acquire their pink colour with age. “This freshwater cetacean is the largest species of river dolphin. Carotenoids are the most widely distributed pigments in nature and are also present in some species of fungi. ![]() Carotenoids are known to contribute to the pink or orange colour of some birds (like flamingoes), fish, and reptiles, so it’s likely that the same mechanism is responsible for the pink in the dolphins. One reason for the pink colouration is a result of their diet, which is high in carotenoids – an organic pigment found in the fish and crustaceans they eat. The exact reason is still not fully understood, but it is believed to be due to a combination of genetics, diet, and environmental factors. It’s the first thing you notice, and the reason for their nickname and it’s this unique pinkish colouration that sets the Amazon river dolphin apart from other dolphin species.
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