Most dolphins live in the sea, but Irrawaddy dolphins can live in fresh river water and salty sea water. In Myanmar, they swim in a long stretch of the Irrawaddy river, far from any ocean. They eat fish, prawns and squid, and they breathe air through a single nostril (called a blowhole) on top of their heads.
Up the Irrawaddy, the dolphins do something remarkable - they work together with local fishermen. The fishermen tap the side of their boat in a special rhythm, and the dolphins herd shoals of fish toward the nets. After the catch, the fishermen leave some of the fish behind for the dolphins. People and dolphins have done this together for over a hundred years.
Irrawaddy dolphins are about 2-2.5 metres long - shorter than a bicycle. They are pale grey, sometimes almost blue in the right light. Unlike the dolphins you might see in cartoons, they don't leap high in the air. They prefer to slowly roll out of the water, take a breath, and slip back under.
There are very few Irrawaddy dolphins left in Myanmar - perhaps fewer than a hundred in the wild river. Local communities and scientists are working together to protect them, keeping the water clean and the rivers safe. Children who grow up along the river often spot them on their way to school.