Also called 'susu', the Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) can range from 2.3 up to 2.6 meters in length, and the distaff side is usually bigger than the male ones. Coloration are gray to black, but with a lighter shade present at the ventral part. Its tail fluke has an impressive width of 46 centimeters, end to end. Ganges River Dolphins have sloped foreheads and dorsal fins - which is not that obvious to the human eye.
Neck flexibility is something the Ganges River Dolphin does not have, and its eyesight is also bad. They are not capable of building images in their retinas. Still, this dolphin could detect light and go after prey via echolocation process. They are known to swim at any part of the day, and while at it, they ceaselessly produce sounds (they never get tired, in both the swimming and the noise-making).
Groups of three up to ten members have been seen in the past, but more often than not, "alone" is the apt word for the Ganges River Dolphin. Longevity is quite impressive, it is thought of by many researchers that it could reach 26 years, but that naturally, is the average.
These animals are primarily found in the India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangledesh in the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Meghna, Karnaphuli, and Hoogli river systems. In dry seasons, they are inclined to migrate, leaving places where the temperatures go up drastically.
Not only the temperatures, but also the salinity of the water.
The Ganges River Dolphin consists mainly of fish and shrimps. According to IUCN, these dolphins are now 'vulnerable.
Interesting fact: Why are Ganges river dolphins called "susu"? Answer: this is very close to the sounds (sneeze-like) they produce when breathing.
Neck flexibility is something the Ganges River Dolphin does not have, and its eyesight is also bad. They are not capable of building images in their retinas. Still, this dolphin could detect light and go after prey via echolocation process. They are known to swim at any part of the day, and while at it, they ceaselessly produce sounds (they never get tired, in both the swimming and the noise-making).
Groups of three up to ten members have been seen in the past, but more often than not, "alone" is the apt word for the Ganges River Dolphin. Longevity is quite impressive, it is thought of by many researchers that it could reach 26 years, but that naturally, is the average.
These animals are primarily found in the India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangledesh in the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Meghna, Karnaphuli, and Hoogli river systems. In dry seasons, they are inclined to migrate, leaving places where the temperatures go up drastically.
The Ganges River Dolphin consists mainly of fish and shrimps. According to IUCN, these dolphins are now 'vulnerable.
Interesting fact: Why are Ganges river dolphins called "susu"? Answer: this is very close to the sounds (sneeze-like) they produce when breathing.
The Blind river dolphin, south asian river dolphin is listed as Endangered (EN), considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild, on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Namings for the Ganges river dolphin
A young / baby of a Ganges river dolphin is called a 'calf or pup'. The females are called 'cow' and males 'bull'. A Ganges river dolphin group is called a 'team, school, pod, herd, alliance (male) or party (female)'.Ganges river dolphin habitats
Artificial / Aquatic & Marine, Artificial / Aquatic - Water Storage Areas (over 8ha), Estuaries, Marine Neritic, Permanent Rivers / Streams / Creeks (includes waterfalls), Seasonal / Intermittent Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha) and Wetlands (inland)Some facts about the
Ganges dolphin
Adult weight : 70 kg (154 lbs)
Female maturity :3652 days
Male maturity : 3652 days
Gestation : 345 days
Weaning : 365 days
Litter size : 1
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