La Plata dolphin

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La Plata dolphin, also known as the Franciscana, Pontoporia blainvillei, is a small dolphin that lives along the southeastern coast of South America, including the Río de la Plata estuary. It is the only river dolphin that spends most of its life in saltwater and estuaries rather than in freshwater rivers.

Appearance
- Males up to about 1.6 meters; females up to about 1.8 meters; weight up to 50 kg
- Grey-brown on top, lighter underneath
- Very long beak (up to about 15% of body length)
- Large, broad flippers; dorsal fin with a long base and rounded tip
- Many small conical teeth (about 48–61 on each side of the upper and lower jaws)

Behavior
- Moves slowly and quietly; usually alone or in small groups, sometimes up to 15

Diet
- Bottom feeder: eats many fish species (at least 24), plus octopus, squid, and shrimp

Reproduction
- Sexually mature at about 2–3 years
- Gestation about 11 months
- Calves born 70–75 cm; weaned after about 1 year
- Females may start breeding around age 5
- Reproductive cycles about every 2 years; some populations may show monogamy during a breeding season

Habitat and range
- Coastal Atlantic waters of southeastern South America, from near Ubatuba, Brazil, to Península Valdés, Argentina, including the Río de la Plata estuary

Threats and conservation
- Threatened by habitat destruction and water pollution from farming and industry; plastic debris found in stomachs
- Bycatch in fishing nets is a major danger
- Notable declines reported in some areas (e.g., Guanabara Bay)
- IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable
- Protected internationally under CMS Appendices I and II, coordinating conservation efforts

Names
- Also called toninha in Brazil and cachimbo; commonly known as Franciscana internationally