Ganges River Dolphin

*For Indus river dolphin click here*

## About

A Ganges river dolphin breaching.

The Ganges river dolphin ***(Platanista gangetica)*** is a species of South Asian river dolphin, once classified as the same species as the Indus river dolphin ***(Platanista minor)***. Ganges river dolphins are a medium-sized blind dolphin that inhabits areas of the Ganges river. Ganges river dolphins are ash grey in colour and have a long beak equipped with sharp teeth. The teeth of the Ganges river dolphin are large and stick outwards from the dolphins lips, similar to that of a crocodilian. Ganges river dolphins do not have a very prominent dorsal fin, instead having a rather blunt dorsal ridge. Perhaps most noticeable of all of the Ganges river dolphin's features are its perpetually squinted eyes. Their small grey eyes are essentially useless due to the dolphin living in murky water that is impossible to see through. Because of the dolphin's small and useless eyes it relies almost completely on echolocation and smell to navigate the Ganges river. Ganges river dolphins are relatively small sized Cetaceans growing to 2.3-2.7m (7.8-9ft) and weigh around 151.5-169.6kg (334-374lbs).

## Diet

Ganges river dolphins being carnivores, eat crustaceans and other invertebrate animals present in the Ganges. Ganges river dolphins also eat a large variety of fish species. The dolphins possibly also prey upon birds and turtles according to Dolphins-World.

## Conservation Status

Ganges river dolphins are recognised as endangered by the IUCN. Due to the continued pollution of the Ganges river, the dolphins are at serious risk of becoming critically endangered or even extinct in the near future unless action is taken towards the conservation of the Ganges. Ganges river dolphins are threatened also by the increased industrialisation of the Ganges, with more motorised vehicles in the water the dolphins suffer through more unwanted interactions with humans like ending up in bycatch. Ganges river dolphins are seriously under threat by the fishing of their prey species, rendering the river empty and the dolphins starving.

## Range and Population

Ganges river dolphins have been evaluated by the IUCN however no official distribution map exists for the species due to lack of knowledge about where exactly in the river it inhabits. Most commonly Ganges river dolphins are associated with living in India, Nepal and Bangladesh in the eastern Himalayan region of the Ganges river. In addition to this they are also often seen as an unrecognised resident species of Bhutan. Ganges river dolphins are said to have a population number of 1,200-1,800 according to WWF. The species is in a declining state due to the threats previously mentioned above.

## Behaviour

Much like many other species of freshwater dolphins, Ganges river dolphins are shy and passive not loud and boisterous like their marine relatives. When interacting with other dolphins they will act aggressively and territorially, chasing off any other dolphins that get too close for comfort, most of the time when a Ganges river dolphin is breaching it will be because of a territorial dispute. The Ganges river dolphin will also travel in groups of up to 10 or possibly 30 according to some reports. A characteristic quirk of the river dolphin is swimming on its side, the reason for this swimming method is unknown.

## Relationship with Humans

Freshwater dolphins in particular do not enjoy interaction with humans unlike their oceanic relatives known for their friendliness. Ganges river dolphins are no different, rarely approaching humans due to their shy and skittish nature. Ganges river dolphins do not like being around humans and specifically motorised vehicles as it causes a great deal of stress to them.

## In Captivity

There are no records of captive Ganges river dolphins. This is mostly due to their shy nature but also because the captive keeping of Cetaceans is generally frown upon due to the cruelty that is often associated with it.

## Sources

* Ganges River Dolphin | WWF - https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/ganges-river-dolphin
* IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41756/17627639
* Ganges River Dolphin | Dolphins-World - https://www.dolphins-world.com/ganges-river-dolphin/#:~:text=The%20Ganges%20River%20dolphin%20has,%E2%80%93%20Common%20carp.