About Gangetic river dolphin:
- It is a freshwater species and one of the few river dolphins found in the world.
- Distribution: 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
- It has been recognized as India's National Aquatic Animal.
- Features:
- It has a long thin snout, rounded belly, stocky body and large flippers.
- It feeds majorly on fishes and is 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
