What Are the Five Species of Freshwater Dolphins?

The five species of freshwater dolphins belong to the family Platanistidae, or Indian River dolphins. Members of the order Cetacea, these species are related to oceanic dolphins and whales. All five species are relatively small with long thin beaks and, unlike oceanic dolphins and whales, they have a distinct neckline. The dolphins inhabit the river systems of some Asian and South American countries.

  1. Amazon River Dolphin

    • The Amazon River dolphin grows to 6 1/2 feet in length, and has a stout body and short dorsal fin. Its skin color ranges from pinkish-gray to reddish-pink. This variation in color is linked directly to how much sunlight gets into the rivers in which they live, the more sun the paler the dolphin. The species lives in the Amazon and Orinoco river systems, feeding on numerous fish and crustaceans.

    Chinese River Dolphin

    • The Chinese River dolphin grows to 8 feet long and has a stout body with a short, triangular dorsal fin. It has a blue-gray coloration on its back and a pale underbelly. The species is highly endangered and can be found only in the Yangtze River. It is possible that they exist only in a short, 870 mile stretch of the river. The dolphins travel in small family groups, and feed on freshwater fish and crustaceans.

    Ganges Dolphin

    • The Ganges Dolphin grows to between 7 and 9 feet in length, and has a broad body, long thin beak and small dorsal fin. Its coloration is grayish-brown, with young animals appearing darker. It is a rare species, found in just the Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems of India. They also are known as blind dolphins, as their eyes lack lenses. The species, when hunting for fish and crustaceans, will swim on its side dragging one of its flippers through the mud.

    Indus River Dolphin

    • The Indus River dolphin is a sub-species of the Ganges dolphin. It is slightly smaller, growing to around 8 feet long. The species has a more gray coloring, with a pinkish underbelly, but a body shape similar to the Ganges Dolphin. It lives in the Indus river systems of Pakistan, including rivers and lakes. The dolphins use their long beaks to find crustaceans and fish in the thick river mud.

    La Plata River Dolphin

    • The La Plata River dolphin grows to 6 feet long, and has a stout body and long thin beak with a small dorsal fin. It has grayish-brown coloration on its back with a lighter shade on the underside. Older individuals become lighter in color, almost white, earning them the nickname white ghosts. The dolphin lives in the river estuaries and shallow coastal waters of Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina. Its diet consists of fish, squid and shrimp.