The Family Platanistidae consists of the river dolphins found in South Asia, primarily the Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) and the Indus river dolphin (Platanista minor). These freshwater cetaceans are highly adapted to life in murky river systems, with long, slender snouts, reduced eyesight, and reliance on echolocation to navigate and hunt fish. They have a fusiform body, a small dorsal fin, and large, paddle-like flippers for maneuvering in shallow waters. Platanistids are endangered due to habitat fragmentation, pollution, and human activity, making them important indicators of river ecosystem health and targets for conservation efforts.