About Gangetic Dolphin

About Gangetic Dolphin:

• It is a freshwater species and one of the few river dolphins found in the world.
• It inhabits the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
• Common Names: Blind dolphin, Ganges dolphin, Ganges susu, hihu, side-swimming dolphin, South Asian River Dolphin
• Scientific name:Platanista gangetica
• The Gangetic Dolphin has been recognized as India's National Aquatic Animal.
• Description:
  • A long thin snout, rounded belly, stocky body and large flippers are characteristics of the Ganges River dolphin.
  • It feeds majorly on fishes and is are usually found in counter-current systems of the main river channel.
  • Its eyes lack lens, and as a result, this species is also referred to as the "blind dolphin".
  • They have a highly developed bio-sonar system that facilitates them to hunt for fish even in murky waters.
  • Being a mammal, the Ganges River dolphin cannot breathe in the water and must surface every 30-120 seconds. Because of the sound it produces when breathing, the animal is popularly referred to as the 'Susu'.
• Conservation status:
  • IUCN: Endangered
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act: Schedule-I 
  • CITES: Appendix I

  

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Q1) How do dolphins communicate?

Like humans, dolphins use both verbal utterances and nonverbal gestures to communicate with one another. These include whistles, clicks, and loud broadband packets of sound called burst pulses.

Source: Gill nets causing deaths of endangered Gangetic dolphins