Facts about Tucuxi
- 08
Infants of the tucuxi remain dependent on their mothers for approximately three years, during which they learn hunting techniques and social behaviors essential for survival in Amazon river systems.
- 07
Tucuxi dolphins reach sexual maturity between 6 and 10 years of age, with females typically bearing a single calf after a gestation period of approximately 11 to 12 months.
- 06
Social groups of tucuxis typically consist of 2 to 5 individuals, though they occasionally gather in larger aggregations of up to 20 dolphins in areas with abundant food resources.
- 05
Tucuxis exhibit a dark gray coloration on their dorsal side that lightens to pink or white on their belly, a pattern that helps them blend with both river depths and surface light reflections.
- 04
Vocalizations of tucuxis include distinctive whistles and clicks that vary by population, suggesting regional dialects among Amazon Basin groups.
- 03
Tucuxi dolphins produce echolocation clicks at frequencies up to 130 kilohertz, allowing them to navigate and hunt effectively in the Amazon's turbid waters where visibility is extremely limited.
- 02
Between 20 and 32 teeth line each jaw of the tucuxi, enabling it to grasp small fish and crustaceans in murky river environments.
- 01
Measuring up to 1.5 meters in length, the tucuxi dolphin inhabits freshwater rivers and coastal waters across the Amazon Basin and northeastern South America.