The Indus River Dolphin is a
freshwater mammal native to India and Pakistan.
Their numbers continue to wane, quickly becoming
one of the worlds rarest mammals.
The Indus River Dolphin is one of two
river dolphins, the other being the Ganges River Dolphin, that
are found in India and Pakistan. Until fairly recently, the
Ganges River Dolphin was considered a seperate species, but
they are now both considered sub-species or Platanista gangetica.
The Indus River Dolphin, like all river dolphins, have elongated
snouts lined with pointed teeth, which are all visible even
with their mouths closed. These Dolphins are practically blind,
lacking a crystalline eye lens. However, many observers have
concluded that the Indus River Dolphin can distinguish light.
Their bodies are stockey and short, with brownish-grey skin.
They are lacking a true dorsal fin, and instead have a short,
triangular 'lump'.
Like most dolphins, their search for food is done through 'echo-locating.'
Indus River Dolphins feed on shrimp and small
fish that call the river bed home.
The estimated population of this endangered species is around
1100.
