Baiji: Description, Types, Pictures, & Fun Facts

Baiji: All You Need To Know

The Baiji (Liptodes vexillifer) is a carnivorous fish belonging to the Animalia family, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Osteoglossiformes, and family Cetartiodactyla. Liptodes is its genus. It is 7.5 to 8.5 feet in length and weighs up to 368 pounds, with a lifetime of up to 24 years.

Baiji is the freshwater dolphin that feeds on yellow catfish, carp, and copper fish. A long, upturned nose is the most distinguishing characteristic. Baiji are preyed upon by humans.

Grey, blue, and white colours, as well as scales on the skin, are physical characteristics. In the Yangtze River, Baijis utilise echolocation to locate food.

The Yangtze dolphin, White fin, and White flag are all names given to the baiji. The baiji is a Chinese river mammal that lives in the Yangtze River. There are said to be only a handful of baiji remaining in the world. Although it has a Critically Endangered conservation category, some experts believe it is extinct.

3 Incredible Baiji Facts!

1. The baiji has 30 to 36 keen teeth for swallowing prey. They consume tiny fish and other prey whole rather than chewing them.

2. This animal has weak vision and uses echolocation to find food. To locate schools of fish and other prey, it employs echolocation, or sound waves.

3. Dolphins are critically endangered, with the possibility of extinction. It was mistakenly trapped in commercial fishing nets for decades. These creatures are unable to come up for air when ensnared in fishing nets.

Baiji Classification and Scientific Name

Lipotes vexillifer is the scientific name for the baiji. Lipotes means “left behind” in Latin, while vexillifer means “flag bearer” in Latin. The Yangtze dolphin, often known as the white fin or the white flag, is another name for the baiji. It belongs to the Mammalia class and is the only member of the lipotidae family.

Various Baiji Species

River dolphins are made up of six different kinds. Baiji is one of them. The Ganges River dolphin, the Amazon River dolphin, the Araguaian River dolphin, the Bolivian River dolphin, and the La Plata River dolphin are among the others.

The baiji is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Scientists dispute how many are still alive. Some experts say there are just ten or fewer left, while others claim they are extinct.

Baiji Appearance

A baiji is a bluish grey creature with a white underbelly. Their top and lower jaws each feature 30 to 36 sharp teeth. The stomach of a baiji is separated into three chambers, whereas the stomachs of other dolphins are divided into two. Their beak-like snout is long and slender.

Their rounded fins let them travel quickly through river water. Baijis are around 7.5 to 8.5 feet long. They are about 360 pounds each. Their colour permits them to blend in with the environment in which they live.

Another protective attribute of this dolphin is its ability to swim very quickly. A baiji can swim at a top speed of 37 mph.

Baiji Distribution, Population, and Habitat

The majority of these marine animals live in open water. However, because of its unique environment, the baiji, or white fin, is recognised as a river dolphin. Among the other prominent examples are:

• The Bolivian River Dolphin is a freshwater river dolphin that is somewhat larger than the baiji. Bolivian River dolphins may reach a maximum length of 9 feet and a weight of just about 400 pounds. Commercial fishing activities in the Bolivian River have also put their existence in jeopardy.

• The La Plata dolphin may be found in both freshwater and saltwater estuaries. It’s not as big as the baiji. The La Plata dolphin may grow to be 5.9 feet long and weigh up to 110 pounds.

• The Ganges River dolphin is a freshwater dolphin that hunts animals via echolocation, similar to the baiji. However, the population of this dolphin is believed to be between 1,200 and 1,800.

The baiji dwells in China’s Yangtze River. They’re dolphins that live in freshwater. Their hunting strategy involves looking for food on the river’s bottom as well as in shallow places. There are anywhere from ten to none of these dolphins in the wild. This is why they have a Critically Endangered conservation designation.

They are thought to be extinct by some biologists. For a variety of causes, this species is critically endangered. These dolphins were (unintentionally) caught in commercial fisherman’s nets and killed for decades. In addition, water pollution from expanding industry and deforestation in China have posed a serious danger to this dolphin’s habitat.

Today, legislation has been enacted to safeguard the Yangtze River’s endangered baiji dolphins. The same rules that preserve the baiji also protect the Yangtze finless porpoise, another endangered species.

Baiji Predators and Prey

The sole predators of baiji dolphins are humans, despite the fact that they are not consumed by humans. Small fish like carp, yellow catfish, and copper fish make up a baiji dolphin’s diet.

Small fish can be caught and swallowed whole by these quick dolphins. Baijis are classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Baiji Reproduction and Lifespan

The baiji dolphin’s breeding season occurs in the spring and summer. Though little is known about their mating practises, scientists do know that a female’s gestation span is between 6 and 12 months. She has one kid, usually known as a calf, who is born alive.

The mother dolphin cares for her young and teaches them to swim and climb to the surface for breath. A calf can nurse until it reaches the age of 18 months. The mother dolphin starts teaching her young how to catch little fish at this point.

Before becoming independent, a calf may stay with its mother for 3 to 6 years. Male baijis reach sexual maturity at the age of six, while females reach sexual maturity at the age of four. This creature may live to be 24 years old, which is one of the most fascinating facts about it.

Baiji in Fishing and Cooking

In certain places, such as Japan, dolphin flesh is considered a delicacy. However, there aren’t enough baijis for people to hunt and eat. Furthermore, they are now legally protected.