Bolivian river dolphins dangling an anaconda in their mouths have scientists puzzled
Seriously, dolphins?
Tibi Puiu by Tibi Puiu September 5, 2023 in Animals, News
Edited and reviewed by Zoe Gordon
Although they are commonly associated with the oceans, some dolphin species can actually be found swimming in several major rivers in South America and Asia.
The Bolivian river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis boliviensis), one of the few such species, is pretty elusive. Biologists are particularly interested in them because their populations serve as indicators for the overall health of the basins where they live, but usually they can only spot their fins or tails.
Imagine the excitement of biologists from the Noel Kempff Mercado Museum of Natural History during one seemingly uneventful day in August 2021. That day they saw not one, but two Bolivian river dolphins with their heads above the river. But that was really nothing compared to what they noticed next.
Taking out their cameras to snap some quick pictures of this extraordinarily rare sighting, the researchers could now see that the two dolphins were holding an anaconda in their beaks, handling it like it was a plush toy.
More:
https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/bolivian-river-dolphins-anaconda/
(Those ascribing unexpected motives to the dolphins probably need to get up, walk around, take some deep breaths, and lighten up. It's so possible they are too fired up, themselves! No doubt these dolphins are just being dolphins, not horn dogs. )
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