La Plata Dolphin

La Plata Dolphin
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Subclass: Eutheria Order: Cetacea Suborder: Odontoceti Family: Pontoporiidae Genus: Pontoporia Species: blainvillei
Binomial name
Pontoporia blainvillei

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.

External Links

• Convention on Migratory Species page on the La Plata Dolphin
• Walker's Mammals of the World Online - La Plata Dolphins
• Cetacea.org page on the La Plata Dolphin