Details
Orcaella brevirostris
The Irrawaddy dolphin lives in freshwater and coastal waters of the Indomalayan, Indian Ocean, and Pacific regions. It is cathemeral and forms loose groups.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses rivers, estuaries, mangrove coasts, and shallow coastal waters. It is adapted to turbid and tide-influenced habitats.
Body length is about 180-275 cm and weight about 90-200 kg. A rounded forehead, short beak, smooth gray body, and small dorsal fin are distinctive.
It may be active by day or night and often swims in small loose groups. It surfaces quietly and moves through complex river and coastal channels.
It is carnivorous, eating fish, crustaceans, and squid. In murky water it relies heavily on sound and touch-sensitive cues.
Calves are born in water and nurse while swimming close to the mother. They learn shallow-water movement and feeding over an extended period.
Its status is listed as Endangered. Bycatch, river changes, and coastal development are major pressures.
