The Ganges river dolphin also known as the South Asian river dolphin, is a species of dolphin that lives in freshwater rivers in several countries and regions.
Let’s learn more about it from teketrek.
The Ganges river dolphin specification
The length: The Ganges river dolphin can range in length from approximately 5 to 31 feet
Ganges River dolphin weight: weigh between 50 to 100 kg.
The body: It has torpedo-shaped bodies ideal for traveling quickly through water.
The flippers, tail, head: They have side flippers, tail flukes, and large pointed heads.
The teeth: They also have sharp teeth to help them catch prey.
Ganges river dolphin facts and behavior
As we mentioned earlier, dolphins are highly intelligent animals.
They have much larger brains than most animals and rank second only to humans in terms of brain-to-body weight ratio.
They have problem-solving abilities, form complex social relationships, and display emotions.
They are also believed to be self-aware and can recognize themselves in a mirror, unlike most animals.
Ganges river dolphins exhibit culture, similar to humans, and can learn and pass on information between individuals.
They sometimes travel long distances between feeding and breeding areas with seasonal changes in water levels.
They have a unique habit of swimming sideways, that allows them to move alongside their food.
The Ganges river dolphin uses a blowhole on the top of its back to breathe, and they can hold their breath for several minutes at a time.
In addition, they have a thick layer of fat that keeps them warm and cool.
Its scientific name is Platanista gangetica, and it belongs to the phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Artiodactyla, family Platanistidae.
In addition, dolphins are considered one of the most intelligent animals in the world.
They are highly social creatures and can interact, play, and hunt with each other.
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Ganges River dolphin habitat
Ganges river dolphins live in freshwater rivers in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan.
Their original habitat is the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers.
Species of Ganges river dolphin
There are two species of Ganges river dolphins:
Platanista gangetica and Platanista gangetica minor, live in several regions.
Ganges River Dolphin Diet
The Ganges River Dolphin is a animal carnivorous, meaning it eats meat to survive.
It feeds on squid and jellyfish, and also has an appetite for smaller prey such as shrimp, crabs, and octopus.
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Reproduction stages of the Ganges River Dolphin
Female Ganges River Dolphins give birth to small dolphins and do not lay eggs.
They can carry and give birth approximately every two to four years when they reach maturity, but the spacing between births can extend to five or seven years.
Young ones stay with their mothers for years and then become independent, while others stay with their mothers for life.
Ganges River Dolphins produce the necessary milk to feed their young alongside carrying them.
Although nursing underwater may seem challenging for young dolphins, they have evolved special physiological adaptations to overcome this difficulty.
FAQs about Ganges River Dolphin
- How do Ganges River Dolphins communicate with each other?
Ganges River Dolphins have a complex method of communication among themselves, and from an external perspective, it appears that they communicate similar to us.
Scientists are still researching how they communicate and the information they exchange.
They have identified three main methods used by dolphins for communication:
Whistling.
Sonar (echolocation
Social contact. - What are the main physiological characteristics of Ganges River Dolphins?
Ganges River Dolphins possess the following physiological characteristics:
They are warm-blooded.
They breathe through lungs, not gills.
They reproduce through live birth, not by laying eggs.
They produce milk and nurse their young.
They have hair on their bodies.
They hunt by emitting ultrasonic sounds that bounce off fish and other prey, allowing them to create a mental image of their surroundings. They are often found alone or in small groups, with mothers typically traveling with their calves.
- How many Ganges river dolphins are left in the world?
There are approximately 5,000.
- Are Ganges River dolphin friendly?
Interactions between them and humans are occasional and much rarer than many people believe.Generally, whether they are river or oceanic dolphins, they do not tend to seek us out as playmates or companions.
- What is the real name of Ganga dolphin?
The Ganges River dolphin real name is Platanista gangetica.
- How old is the Ganges river dolphin?
About thirty years.
In conclusion, we have discussed the Ganges River Dolphin in this article, those beautiful and fascinating creatures.
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