Irrawaddy dolphin

mammal

Also known as: Orcaella brevirostris

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 20, 2026

Quick Summary

The Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is a species of river dolphin found in coastal waters and rivers of Southeast Asia. These mammals are related to whales and are known for their long beaks and rounded foreheads, distinguishing them from other dolphins.12

Irrawaddy dolphins are not as agile as most other dolphins, preferring to spend time at river bottoms searching for food. Despite having small eyes, they navigate murky waters effectively using sophisticated sonar. They are often described as curious and friendly towards humans.2

Unfortunately, several dolphin species, including the Irrawaddy dolphin, are considered vulnerable or near threatened due to factors like habitat loss and pollution. The Irrawaddy River dolphin is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.13

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

dolphin
Conservation status
…chinensis), the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), and the Australian snubfin dolphin (O. heinsohni). The most vulnerable dolphins include the Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) and the Indus river dolphin (P. minor), which are classified as endangered species
Read More
…chinensis), the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), and the Australian snubfin dolphin (O. heinsohni). The most vulnerable dolphins include the Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) and the Indus river dolphin (P. minor), which are classified as endangered species
Read More