Ganges River Dolphin

About the Ganges River Dolphin

The Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is a freshwater dolphin in the family Platanistidae. It lives in the Ganges and related rivers of South Asia, namely in the countries of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. It is also known by the names susu and shihu (Assamese: শিহু) in Assam shushuk (Bengali: শুশুক) in West Bengal and Bangladesh and Uttum (Chittagonian: উত্তুম) in Chittagong region.

The Ganges river dolphin has been recognized by the Government of India as its National Aquatic Animal and is the official animal of the Indian city of Guwahati. Its first occurrence, within the Hooghly River, was documented by William Roxburgh.

The Ganges river dolphin has a rectangular, ridgelike dorsal fin and females tend to be larger than males. Ganges river dolphins usually are tan, chocolate brown, dark grey or light blue. They have an elongated, slender snout with sharp and very pointed teeth, similar to most river dolphins. The river dolphin has a rounded belly, which, combined with its rectangular dorsal fin, makes it look particularly stocky in build compared to other dolphins. Their flippers and tail flukes are large and broad. They have a large melon head used for... Wikipedia →