TucuxiSotalia fluviatilisWhere and when to see them

The Tucuxi is a freshwater dolphin of the Amazon system and a distinct conservation subject from coastal Sotalia dolphins. The registered river experience is in Peru around Iquitos and Nauta, the Ucayali and connected tributaries. IUCN’s 2020 assessment classifies it as Endangered, making responsible observation more important than a close photographic encounter. Species reference: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/190871/50386457/pdf

Size

Species-specific length not verified in the retrieved material.

Weight

Species-specific weight not verified.

Lifespan

Species-specific lifespan not verified.

Status

Endangered A4b, global IUCN assessment published in 2020; population trend decreasing.

A sighting can consist of only a brief surfacing followed by a long period with nothing visible. Watch the area calmly rather than steering repeatedly towards each appearance. Local group-size ranges, dive-duration statistics and repeat encounter rates were not verified. A single surfacing should not be used to promise a prolonged interaction.

• It is a freshwater member of the dolphin family.
• IUCN lists it as Endangered.
• The 2020 assessment reports a decreasing population.
• Peru is among its native countries.
• Coastal Sotalia records should not be substituted.
• IUCN generation length is not an individual lifespan.

No recurring local monthly source was verified for the Iquitos–Nauta and Ucayali reach. The historical 2017 cruise registration establishes an occurrence context, not a seasonal guarantee. All Amazon months are empty. Changes in water level, navigability or observer visibility are not sufficient grounds to invent numerical dolphin-viewing months.

IUCN places the species in freshwater inland wetlands and lists Peru among its native countries. That supports the broad river-system context but does not prove presence in every tributary or landing. The registered viewing method is a guided skiff search of connected channels, with attention to navigation conditions and undisturbed passage for the animals.

The Tucuxi is a fish-eating dolphin, but a source-checked prey list for this Peruvian reach was not verified. Do not substitute fish records from coastal Guiana dolphins or from another Amazon dolphin species. Feeding wild dolphins to improve sightings changes the encounter and should not be part of a wildlife cruise excursion.

Common name

Tucuxi

Scientific name

Sotalia fluviatilis

Animal group

Mammals

Size

Species-specific length not verified in the retrieved material.

Weight

Species-specific weight not verified.

Lifespan

Species-specific lifespan not verified.

Status

Endangered A4b, global IUCN assessment published in 2020; population trend decreasing.

Identification

Look for a small grey dolphin with a defined dorsal fin and a compact, marine-dolphin-like profile. Distinguishing it from an Amazon river dolphin requires more than apparent colour in glare. Try to see the dorsal outline and head across several natural surfacings; let an experienced local guide confirm uncertain views.