La Plata Dolphin
The
La Plata Dolphin (
Pontoporia blainvillei) is a
river dolphin. It is most commonly seen in and around the
La Plata River. It is the only river dolphin that is also a marine
dolphin. It does not actually live in freshwater, only in the ocean and saltwater
estuaries off southeastern South America. Its habitat ranges from the
Tropic of Capricorn near Ubatuba,
Brazil, south to the Valdez Peninsula,
Argentina. Although some members of the species do spend portions of their live outside of river systems, there are many individuals who live their entire lives within rivers, never venturing into the ocean proper.
It is also known as the Franciscana, Toninha, or Cachimbo.
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