Amazon River Dolphin (Sealife by Collecta)

My thanks to Happy Hen Toys for providing this figurine for review. Be sure to check out their website down below.

River dolphins might not be as famously charismatic as their oceanic relatives, or as infamously dangerous as some contemporary freshwater predators; but they’re a remarkable and precious sample of the diversity of life which can be found in the planet’s river systems. The Amazon river dolphin (one of a few known locally as the “boto”) is the largest of the group, the males capable of growing over 2.5 meters (7-9 ft) in length. One of three species currently recognized under the Inia genus, I. geoffrensis can be found distributed through the northern riverways of South America, hunting a wide variety of prey that includes turtles, frogs, crabs and over 50 different types of fish. Sadly, the dolphins’ versatile palates don’t protect them from hazards like fishing traps, pollution, and habitat destruction, all of which and more contribute to the Amazon river dolphin becoming an endangered species.

For their 2023 lineup of releases, Collecta has released a lovely-looking replica of an Amazon river dolphin, that is to my knowledge the first major figurine of this animal from the leading toy animal brands. The figurine stretches 14 cm (5.5 in) long measured along the belly, putting it between 1:19 and 1:15 scale for a large male. To the best of my (limited) knowledge, this is a male dolphin being represented, for reasons I will discuss shortly.

Posing of the dolphin is achieved simply, but effectively: the dolphin is captured at the tip of the upstroke, mid-swim, flippers out as the animal propels forward through the deep Amazon waters. A slight curve in the tail marks careful course correction. The design is subdued and quite graceful, capturing the cetacean at its most elegant. The only marring of the sculpt comes from the large engraved copyright material on the stomach, which can’t really be helped anyway and isn’t particularly noticeable except when viewing the figurine from directly underneath.

River dolphins are smooth-skinned animals by nature, so the sculpt on Collecta’s figurine doesn’t waste resources on unnecessary texture. The figurine looks clean and polished; somehow it even feels almost soft to the touch. Lack of texture doesn’t equal lack of detail, however. Facial features, including the eyes, blowhole, and prominent melon, are carefully carved and shaped. The mouth is closed, so no teeth are visible, but a subtle divide is sculpted between the jaws. The corners of the mouth curl up into what looks like a gentle smile, but this isn’t artistic license – Amazon river dolphins really do have a cute little curl to their mouth in life. The front fins are large and curved, much bigger than those of oceanic species, while the dorsal fin is greatly reduced to only a vestigial triangular form. The snout and body might be a little too short in their proportions; or maybe the head is a little too large.

Underneath, one can see some musculature just beneath the skin and blubber. The throat and pectorals are defined well. There is also a belly button and a long slit down the abdomen, in between the copyright engravings; the button and slit appear a bit off-center, though. This slit along the belly is, I believe, indicative of a male dolphin’s genital area. Now, I am no expert on dolphin anatomy, but certain dolphin species are known to have distinct genital markings between genders: males have a single slit, while females have a double slit plus additional nipple slits. The absence of multiple slits seems to be a sign that Collecta’s river dolphin is a male, although more knowledgeable cetacean enthusiasts might be able to correct me on this.

Another reason this appears to be a male is coloration. Amazon river dolphins are well-known for looking pink, but in fact their most natural color is plain gray. The pink color comes with age, as blood vessels rise closer to the skin’s surface and the skin experiences abrasions from external stimuli. Males tend to become pinker than females, due to higher levels of intraspecies conflict, inducing more wear on the skin. Collecta’s figurine is a warm pastel pink across its undersides and along its flanks, with a soft gray on the face, back, and tops of the flippers. The gray transitions into almost entirely pink by the end of the tail, save for the top of the fluke. No scarring or other wounds are present in the design, but one can infer from the color this animal has had plenty of life experience so far.

Toys of river dolphins are about as rare on the market as the living dolphins are in the wild (sadly); but the Collecta Amazon river dolphin is a terrific representation of the almost mythological animal and a definite winner from the company. Figurines this nice are perfect for enticing more awareness and study of the real creatures, so I highly recommend this model for wildlife fans young and old alike. I also thank Happy Hen Toys again for providing this review sample, and encourage readers to check their website first for purchasing this and other Collecta 2023 models at happyhentoys.com.