The pink river dolphin is a freshwater dolphin who lives in the Amazon and Orinoco rivers in South America. They are also known as Boto, and their scientific name is Inia geoffrensis. Although usually, they are pink, sometimes they are also gray, white or a mix of these colors. The pink dolphin of Hong Kong (Sousa chinensis) is another species with pink color mixed with gray, but they are entirely different species that live in far away from each other.

One of the theories that explain the reason for its unusual coloration is related to its social behavior. Some think that fights between some specimens, especially males, leave visible scars on their skin that turn pink with the passage of time.

Other researchers suggest that it is a natural way to camouflage themselves against predators, as reddish coloration is very common in the waters of their aquatic environment.

Pink river dolphins live in the main rivers of the Amazon River and the Orinoco river in South America.

They are endangered because of the increase in population in the basins of these two rivers, increasing the pollution, the river traffic and therefore the accidental killing.

Also, the construction of dams and the pluvial projects have damaged their habitat taking them inevitably to a slow extinction.

Reproduction in pink river dolphins starts when a couple of dolphins mate after which the gestation period starts.

According to the species, this time can take from nine to twelve months after which mothers give birth to their offspring.

Pink river dolphins reproduce from the end of October to the beginning of November, giving birth between May and July when the water in the Amazon is at its highest.