South Asian River Dolphin
Platanista gangetica
Conservation Status
EndangeredMammalia · Cetacea · Platanistidae
About
South Asian river dolphins are toothed whales in the genus Platanista, which inhabit the waterways of the Indian subcontinent. They were historically considered to be one species with the Ganges river dolphin and the Indus river dolphin being subspecies. Genetic and morphological evidence led to their being described as separate species in 2021. The Ganges and Indus river dolphins are estimated to have diverged 550,000 years ago. They are the only living members of the family Platanistidae and the superfamily Platanistoidea. Fossils of ancient relatives date to the late Oligocene.
Fun Fact
South Asian river dolphins are functionally blind — their tiny eyes lack a lens — and they navigate entirely by echolocation, swimming on their side with one flipper trailing the muddy river bottom.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Rivers
Diet
Piscivore
Lifespan
26-30 years
Threats
- Invasive Aquatic Species
- Small Population Size
- Dam Construction
- Poaching