About this place

The Amazon River, located in South America, is the largest river in the world by discharge volume and, depending on the measurement method, one of the two longest. It originates in the Andes Mountains of Peru and flows eastward across Brazil, eventually emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. The river system and its vast basin, which is almost the size of the contiguous United States, drain parts of nine countries, with the majority lying within Brazil. The Amazon's freshwater discharge into the Atlantic is immense, accounting for approximately 20% of the total freshwater entering the world's oceans. Its scale is so large that it is often referred to by Brazilians as the Rio Mar, or "The River Sea."

The river system is a complex network of thousands of tributaries, which are broadly classified into three types based on their water characteristics: "whitewater" rivers like the Solimões-Amazon, which are laden with nutrient-rich sediments from the Andes; "blackwater" rivers like the Rio Negro, which are dark and acidic from decaying organic matter; and "clearwater" rivers. This diversity of water types creates a mosaic of different aquatic habitats, supporting an exceptionally high level of biodiversity. The Amazon basin is estimated to be home to over 3,000 species of fish, more than any other river system on Earth.

The Amazon River Dolphin (Boto)

The Amazon river dolphin, known locally as the boto and scientifically as Inia geoffrensis, is a species of freshwater dolphin found exclusively in the river systems of the Amazon and Orinoco basins. It is the largest of the river dolphin species and is known for its unique adaptations to its complex, often murky, aquatic environment.

The most notable characteristic of the boto is its color. The dolphins are typically born gray and gradually acquire a pinkish hue as they age. This coloration is most prominent in adult males and can become more intense when they are excited or aggressive. The pink color is believed to be the result of a combination of factors, including the presence of blood capillaries near the surface of the skin and the accumulation of scar tissue from fights with other dolphins.

Anatomically, the boto is highly specialized for life in the Amazon. It has unfused cervical vertebrae, which allows its head to turn 180 degrees, a critical adaptation for navigating and hunting in the intricate, submerged root systems of the flooded forest (igapó and várzea). Its long snout is lined with both conical front teeth for gripping prey and molar-like back teeth for crushing it, enabling a varied diet of fish, crabs, and even small turtles. While its eyes are small, limiting its vision in the turbid water, it relies heavily on a sophisticated system of echolocation to navigate and locate prey. Unlike their more social marine counterparts, botos are often solitary or found in small mother-and-calf pairs. The species is currently listed as Endangered due to threats from habitat degradation, dam construction, and mercury pollution from gold mining.