Why is this animal unusual?
It’s born grey and turns pink with age. Males are the pinkest, because much of the colour is scar tissue from a lifetime of fighting each other.
Why does it look like that?
A long thin beak, a bulging forehead, small eyes and a low ridge instead of a tall fin on its back.
Strangest biological feature
A bendy neck. Unlike sea dolphins, its neck bones aren’t fused, so it can turn its head 90 degrees – perfect for weaving between tree trunks in the flooded forest.
Why is it strange?
It blushes. When excited or active, blood rushes to the skin and the dolphin turns an even brighter pink.
Interesting behavioral facts
Males have been seen carrying sticks, weeds and lumps of clay in their mouths and waving them about – apparently to impress females.
Records held
The largest river dolphin in the world. In Amazon folklore it’s the “encantado”, a shape-shifter who comes ashore as a charming stranger in a hat.
