Ganges River Dolphin Skull

Description

Ganges River Dolphin Skull measures 14.4 inches. Ganges River Dolphin Skull is museum quality polyurethane cast. Made in USA. Platanista gangetica is the scientific name. Polyurethane cast of an original California Academy of Sciences specimen. Our precise skull can be used as a teaching tool, museum skull exhibit, home decor skull, or office decor skull.

The Ganges river dolphin or Platanista gangetica is an endangered freshwater or river dolphin found in the region of Indian Subcontinent which is split into two subspecies, the Ganges river dolphin and the Indus river dolphin. The Ganges river dolphin or Platanista gangetica is primarily found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers and their tributaries in India, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Ganges river dolphin or Platanista gangetica has the long, pointed nose characteristic of all river dolphins. Their teeth are visible in both the upper and lower jaws even when the mouth is closed. The teeth of young animals are almost an inch long, thin and curved; however, as animals age, the teeth undergo considerable changes and in mature adults become square, bony, flat disks. The snout thickens towards its end. Navigation and hunting are carried out using echolocation. They are unique among cetaceans in that they swim on their sides. The body is a brownish color and stocky at the middle.

Ganges river dolphin or Platanista gangetica relies on echolocation to find prey due to their poor eyesight. Their extended rostrum is advantageous in detecting hidden or hard to find prey items. The prey is held in their jaw and swallowed. Their teeth are used as a clamp rather than a chewing mechanism.

Ganges river dolphin or Platanista gangetica feeds on a variety of shrimp and fish, including carp and catfish. The Ganges subspecies may take birds and turtles. They are usually encountered on their own or in loose aggregations; the dolphins do not form tight interacting groups.

The Ganges subspecies shows object-avoidance behavior in both the consistently heavily murky waters of its habitat and in clear water in captivity, suggesting that it is capable of using echolocation effectively to navigate and forage for prey.

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