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Chinese River Dolphins are fresh water aquatic
mammals.
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Chinese River Dolphin
Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Family: Lipotidae
Genus: Lipotes
Species: Vexillifer
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Other Names: Baiji, Yangtze River Dolphin,
Chinese River Dolphin, Whitefin Dolphin, Goddess
of the Yangtze, White-Flag Dolphin, Beiji, and
Yangtze Dolphin
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Chinese River Dolphin
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Possibly Extinct
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Size: Chinese River Dolphins are 5 - 8.25 feet
in length and they typically weigh 300-510 lbs. Female
Chinese River Dolphins are larger than their male counterparts.
Habitat: Chinese River Dolphins are found in
the Yangtze River in China.
Diet: Chinese River Dolphins feed of fish found
in the Yangtze River. They use their long beaks to probe
muddy river bottoms for prey.
Senses: Chinese River Dolphins are thought to
have very poor eyesight, they use touch and echolocation
to navigate.
Description: Chinese River Dolphins are white,
pink, yellow, brown, gray, or black. Chinese River Dolphins
have a thick stocky build, they have a narrow, long
beak with an upturned tip.
| Hunting:
Chinese River Dolphins are most active during
the night from early evening to early morning. |
Did You Know?
Chinese River Dolphins are the rarest
species of all marine mammals. The last
sighting was said to be in 2004.
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Gestation: Chinese River Dolphins carry their
young for 10-11 months. They typically breed for reproductive
purposes every 2 years.
Birth: Chinese River Dolphins calves are 32
to 35 inches in length.
Calves: Chinese River Dolphin calves will nurse
for up to 2o months.
Sexual Maturity: Female Chinese River Dolphins
sexually mature around 4- 8 years of age.
Life Span: The average life span of the Chinese
River Dolphin is thought to be about 25 years. The Yangtze
River is one of the world's busiest waterways, dams and
fishing have significantly impacted the Chinese River
Dolphins populations.
Social Structure: Chinese River Dolphins are
found in groups of up to 6 dolphins. They are said to
be quite shy.
Athleticism: Chinese River Dolphins swim 6 -
9 mph, when they are threatened they can reach speeds
up to 37 mph.
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