National equatic animal of pakistan

1. INTRODUCTION
Indus river Dolphin is
National aquatic animal of
Pakistan. It is found in Indus
River.

2. BODY OF INDUS RIVER DOLPHIN
The Indus River Dolphin has a long beak and a
stocky body. It has a low triangular hump on its
back in place of a true dorsal fin. It is gray-brown
in color, sometimes with a pinkish belly.The eyes
are extremely small, resembling pinhole
openings slightly above the mouth. The Indus
River dolphin measures between 1.5 -2.5 m in
length and weighs 80 - 90 kg.

3. HABITATE
It is found exclusively in freshwater, living not
only in the main channels, but also, during the
flood season, in seasonal tributaries and the
flooded lowlands.
DISTRIBUTION
Dolphin is distributed from Jinnah to Kotri Barrages, but
the largest numbers are found from Taunsa to Sukkur.
The center of abundance, a 170-km stretch between
Guddu and Sukkur barrage, was declared as a sanctuary
for the species in 1974.

4. Before mating, the adult males carry objects like
branches, floating vegetation, or hardened clay balls in
their mouths to the females to propose for mating.
Sexual dimorphism is evident in these creatures, with the
males weighing and measuring between 16% and 55%
more than females.

5. Reproduction and Life Cycle
The dolphins breed seasonally, giving birth to the pups between the summer
months of May and June. The season of giving birth to the young ones coincide
with the flooding season, providing an advantage to the female and its babies.The
gestation period lasts for about 11 months to 1 year, and in captivity, the birth
takes around 4 to 5 hours.The calves are born between July and September. The
period of breastfeeding is relatively long in these mammals, which in turn shows
a strong bond between the child and the mother. Also, during this time, the babies
learn from the parents and are developed by their care and attention. While the
male dolphins attain the age of sexual maturity when they attain the length of
about 2 meters, the females sexually mature at about 1.7 meters.

6. FEEDING
The Indus river dolphin eats crustaceans such as
prawns, as well as fish including gobies, catfish
and carp.
IUCN STATUS
The Indus River dolphin (Platanista ) is one of the
world's rarest mammals and the second
most endangered freshwater river dolphin.

7. INTERESTING FACT
The Indus River dolphin sometimes
carries its young on its back,above
the surface of the water.
THANK YOU!
WRITTEN BY,
Mukhtiar Ali
SUBMITTED TO ;
Professor Nazir Ahmad SB