Pinky (dolphin)
Pinky is an albino bottlenose dolphin found in Calcasieu Lake, Louisiana.[1] Pinky was first spotted in June 2007 by a boat captain, Erik Rue. In 2015, Rue was able to capture photo evidence of Pinky mating, proving that she is female.[2] The dolphin has become a tourist attraction, and conservationists have asked visitors to leave the dolphin alone.[3] Pinky's behavior is similar to the rest of the dolphins in her pod, although she tends to spend more time underwater.[3]
The Amazon river dolphin, popularly known as the boto or pink river dolphin, has the scientific name Inia Geoffrensis.
The animal's popular name is derived from where it frequently lives as well as its skin hue. The inhabitants refer to themselves as boto. It is also a well-known figure in South American mythology. Legend has it that the creatures have exceptional musical abilities and are seductive. They also like social gatherings. According to certain tales, dolphins may shapeshift into human form and have magical abilities.
The pink dolphin is a freshwater animal. Amazon pink river dolphins reside in rivers that go through the Amazon rainforest and are frequently swamped with massive amounts of rain. The muddy bottoms of rivers turn a red/pink color as a result of the heavy rainfall. Pink river dolphins in the Amazon may have just adapted to fit in with their environment. Amazon river dolphins have teeth that are comparable to human molar teeth. The animals, like humans, use their teeth to break apart food before eating it. River dolphins aren't choosy about their food. Turtles, prawns, crabs, and more than 40 different types of fish, including piranhas, will be eaten by the animals.
Coloring
Although it is quite rare to see an albino animal in the wild, Pinky has a few signs that appear to confirm her albinism. Blood vessels and eyes with a reddish hue can be seen through Pinky's skin, a key indicator that the cells that normally make the pigment melanin, are hardly active in this dolphin's body.[4] Although albinism can be hereditary, it is unknown if Pinky's parents were of a pinkish/white hue or if they simply carried this specific gene mutation which they then passed down to Pinky.[4]
In 2017, a video was taken showing two albino dolphins swimming in the lake, presumed to be Pinky and her calf.[5]
See also
References
- ^ "Pink dolphin appears in US lake". The Daily Telegraph. March 9, 2009. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
- ^ "Pinkie, the Rare Pink Dolphin, Spotted in Louisiana Waters Confirmed a Female". ABC News. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ a b "Protecting A National Treasure: Pinky The Pink Dolphin and Her Calf". Pegasus. 2019-06-21. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
- ^ a b "How Did Rare Pink Dolphin Get Its Color?". National Geographic News. 2015-09-09. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ Sivarajah, Lishyarini (2019-05-06). "A rare pink dolphin named 'Pinky' is now a mother of an adorable pink calf". Good Times. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
About the Author AZ Animals Staff AZ Animals is a growing team of animals experts, Author, A., Staff, A., & AZ Animals is a growing team of animals experts. (2022, August 12). Amazon River Dolphin (pink dolphin). Retrieved October 28, 2022, from https://a-z-animals.com/animals/pink-dolphin/
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