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Hello, River Dolphin. What’s Up With Your Giant Head?

The river dolphin is good at two things: having a giant head and being able to turn that head. That last bit is indeed a skill. We promise.

Released on 08/15/2016

Transcript

[Announcer] Ah dolphins.

Very jumpy, very spinny

but not all dolphins get to just fart around

all the time in the open ocean

because this is a river.

This here is the aptly named River Dolphin of the Amazon.

It's the largest river dolphin in the world

measuring up to eight feet long,

and it's specially adapted to this unique environment.

Because if river dolphin doesn't have as much

a wiggle room as it's cousin out at sea,

it's especially maneuverable.

Unlike other dolphins, it's neck vertebrae

aren't fused so it can turn its head

and be able like, say what.

The river dolphin also has an enlarged fluke

and the fins for better steering.

Check out its dorsal fin.

Namely, it doesn't really exist.

That maybe an adaptation to another dolphin

to spin in shallow waters.

Also notice the dolphin's big ass head.

That's a clue that its sense of echo location

is highly developed.

I mean, look at the water here.

Eyesight can be worthless.

This river needs a filter

but then again, murky water is good for private time.

All right, take it easy you two.