Pictures and facts about the Irrawaddy dolphin

Irrawaddy dolphin

Order : Cetacea
Suborder : Odontoceti
Family : Delphinidae
Genus : Orcaella

Facts about the genus Orcaella, the Irrawaddy dolphin

Recognition at sea: The Irrawaddy Dolphin is slow-swimming and inconspicuous, likely to be confused only with the dugong or Finless Porpoise.

Nowadays there is widespread agreement to list it in the Delphinidae family Genetically the Irrawaddy Dolphin is closely related to the Orca. (Full text)

As the name implies, these dolphins tend to be found in the open seas, unlike the river dolphins, although a few species such as the Irrawaddy Dolphin are coastal or riverine. (Full text)

Genetically the Irrawaddy Dolphin is closely related to the Orca . (Full text)

Stacey and Leatherwood (1997) find that the apparent low abundance and recent declines in numbers of the Irrawaddy dolphin are cause for serious concern. (Full text)

The abundance of Orcaella is unknown or, at best, based on assessments made in small inshore or riverine areas. (Full text)

It is the first time that the CITES meeting is being held in Southeast Asia and three Asian species -- ramin, a tropical hardwood, humphead wrasse, a giant coral reef fish, and the Irrawaddy dolphin are high on the agenda for discussion. (Full text)

Lifespan-- The Irrawaddy Dolphin is a uniform slate blue color with no distinct markings. (Full text)

Two unique anatomical features of the Irrawaddy dolphin are that it does not have a cardiac sphincter and the stomach is subdivided into compartments. (Full text)

Four other groups of Irrawaddy dolphin are to be added to the IUCN's “Red List” later in 2004. (Full text)

IUCN Red List: Data Deficient CITES Appendix II The Irrawaddy Dolphin is a warm-water species lives in the deep water (Full text)