Classification: 

The franciscana is one of the smallest cetaceans, it has the longest beak related to its body size of any dolphin it is almost 15% of it's total body length.

While it's very similar to river dolphins and can be found in several outfall throughout its range, and it's lives in shallow salt water and is often stay very close to shore. 

 

 

Appearance: 

The franciscana is a slim dolphin with a very long, thin beak and a precipitous, rounded forehead.

It has small eyes that are well functioning.  

The back dorsal fin is low and it's rounded with a broad base while the large broad fin are broad with rise and swish edges.

The flukes are extremely broad, up to 1/3 the length of the body.

The body is brownish-grey on top with a slightly darker bottom, while the belly and lower sides are a whiter yellowish-grey.

The franciscana may be look the same with the tucuxi, but it has a longer beak and a more rounded dorsal fin.

 

 

Behaviour: 

The franciscana is difficult to spot in the wild as they stay away from boats. It is a smooth, slow swimmer, rarely splashing.

 When breathing, the beak may break the water surface at a light angle and they have to show a little bit of their body before diving back under the water again.

They are lonely animals but might be found in groups of up to 15. Found in muddy waters and are less then 30m deep, they are preyed by larger sharks and orcas, while they feed on shallow-water fish, squid and crustaceans at the near the sea floor.