Researchers have observed male Amazon river dolphins urinating into the air up to three feet high, a behavior likely serving a social function.
Researchers have made a startling discovery about the social behavior of male Amazon river dolphins, known as botos. After observing the dolphins for over 219 hours, they documented 36 instances of male botos rolling onto their backs and urinating up to three feet into the air. This unusual behavior, rarely observed before, appears to be intentional rather than random.
The research team, led by Claryana Araújo-Wan from Canada’s CetAsia Research Group, traveled to the Amazon River for four years to study the dolphins' social interactions. They noted that another male dolphin was often present nearby, swimming towards the urine stream as it landed in the water. In some cases, these dolphins waited patiently, while in others, they actively pursued the trajectory of the pee using their snouts. While urine is used as a communication tool by many terrestrial animals, its use in aquatic environments is less common. Researchers speculate that the botos may rely on their rostrum bristles to interpret the hormonal content of the urine, gleaning information about the physical health and social status of other botos. This is supported by studies showing that bottlenose dolphins use their tongues to identify other cetaceans through the taste of their urine. However, the exact reason for the aerial urination remains a mystery. Researchers suggest that it could serve a social or communicative function, possibly acting as an acoustic alert to other dolphins. This unique behavior opens up new avenues for research, offering insights into the complex social dynamics of these fascinating aquatic mammals
Amazon River Dolphins Botos Aerial Urination Dolphin Behavior Communication
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