Ganges and Indus Dolphin: Platanistidae

Unlike some social dolphins, Ganges and Indus river dolphins swim alone or with one or two other dolphins. Adults rarely leap out of the water or expose much more of their body than their beak (snout) and melon. Compared to other dolphins, they swim slowly, although they are capable of short bursts of speed. Ganges and Indus river dolphins use echolocation to find their food and navigate around objects in the river. They also communicate with each other frequently through pulses of sound.

Not much is known about the reproductive behavior of these dolphins. Pregnancy is believed to last eight to eleven months. Newborns are about 3 feet (1 meter) long when they are born, and weigh about 17 pounds (7.5 kilograms). It appears that births occur throughout the year. Scientists are not certain, but they think the young nurse anywhere from two months to one year. These dolphins are capable of living long lives and do not become sexually mature (able to reproduce) until they are about ten years old.