Tuesday, March 25, 2014

The La Plata River Dolphin or Franciscana Dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei)



La Plata River Dolphin



The Franciscana dolphin, which is also called the La Plata River dolphin, is one of the rarest dolphins in South America.Due to this uniqueness, there is little known about it.

It grows to be between 4 and 6 feet long, and weighs up to 115 pounds, and its body is a grayish brown color. Even though sightings of the Franciscana dolphin are scarce, it can be found in the Doce River, in Brazil, and the Peninsula Valdes in Argentina. It can also be found in the coastal waters of Uruguay. This is the only species of river dolphins that can be found in salt water.
If you are ever in South America, and stop by the La Plata river, you can look deep enough into the river beds to find the La Plata River dolphin. This species of dolphin is one that has been recognized through it’s unique features and it’s abilities to range into a different habitat than most other dolphins.

The La Plata River Dolphin is well known because of where it chooses to build it’s habitat. It ranges through the La Plata River, which moves through Brazil and Argentina. Despite other fresh water dolphins, this particular dolphin has not adapted to only one type of water living. It can move back and forth from the salt waters of the ocean and to the river waters that are fresh. They have adapted to this because of the location of the La Plata River being near the Atlantic Ocean.

This dolphin was recognized and recorded as a species in the early 1800s. However, before this time, it was a common known dolphin among Brazilians and those in Argentina. It is often referred to as the Franciscana or Toninha and is highly regarded among the cultures in the area. Most understand and respect the living space of these dolphins, making them one of the few that live in the river beds but who are not facing extinction.
 


















(source:google/http://www.dolphins-world.com/)


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