Animal Name: Boto

Scientific Name: Inia geoffrensis

Description: The boto is pink. The colors vary from a "bubblegum pink" to a bluey-gray or off-white. The young tend to be gray. They have an extremely long beak, plumb body, large paddle shaped flippers, tiny eyes, and large cheeks.

 Length: 2.2 meters

Weight: 85 - 130 kilograms

Where It Lives: The boto lives in freshwater as much as 3,000 kilometers inland. They live in rivers and tributaries in many parts of South America. The main populations are found in the Amazon and Orinco Basins of Venezuela, Peru, Columbia, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, and Guyana.

Does it live in a Group or Pack? When the river floods botos are seen alone or in pairs. When the river is at its normal depths botos are seen in groups of ten or more.

Reproduction: Botos reproduce one newborn calf once a year.

Diet: The boto's diet consists mainly of fish, over 50 kinds, including bottom-dwelling species such as catfish. They also eat shrimp and crustaceans.

Why is it Endangered? Botos are threatened by habitat destruction through deforestation, dam-building, hydroelectric schemes, as well as pollution, fishing and competition with people for food and space. Botos sometimes get caught in fishing nets, which can lead to their death. Between 1990 and 1994, 30 dead dolphins washed up in the Amazon. 95% of these died because they were caught in nets.

Fun Facts! Botos are very playful and curious. They will often approach boats and grab the paddles.

The boto's cheeks are so chubby they sometimes sleep upside down.