Home » Plants & Animals » Dolphins » Dolphin Feature - The Susu

Dolphin Feature - The Susu

© Carma Haley Shoemaker

There is an old saying, "If you don't use it, you'll lose it." Well, the Ganges River Dolphin, or Susu as it is called, may just be definite proof of this.

The Susu is found exclusively to the river systems of northeastern India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. There are five different populations, but each are separated from each other due to dam construction along the Indus River. It cannot be determined exactly how many live in each of these "groups" as the murky, dark waters camouflage these dolphins.

When looking at the Susu, most would say, "This animal doesn't look like a dolphin," and this statement is correct. The Susu has not only a different appearance, but also a different way of life.

The Susu has a thin, long snout, which allows for the rows of sharp teeth to easily be viewed. The head of the Susu is much shorter and fuller than other dolphin species, and there is no apparent dorsal fin. The flippers, both lateral and tail, vary in ways of their own. The lateral flippers look more like "paddles" then like actual flippers and the tail fin of the Susu is longer and wider when compared to species such as the bottlenose or common dolphins.

The most distinctive feature of the Susu is the eyes. Due to its habitat, the Susu is nearly blind. The eyes are used only to determine direction and intensity of light rather then actual site. So how do the Susu hunt, feed, and reproduce? It appears that with the loss of sight the Susu has intensified their echolocation capabilities. The Susu is capable of swimming on its side and scanning the water horizontally by moving their heads up and down while communicating, and searching, by emitting "clicks".

The Susu varies in its "social" skills as well as its appearance. Where other dolphin species travel in groups, or pods, the Susu is a solitary animal. Research has shown that the only times the Susu will welcome the company of another dolphin is during the breeding process and for a period of up to a year after childbirth. The young Susu will then be independent and will leave its mother between the 11th and 12th month of birth. Individual studies have shown the Susu can, and do, live up to 26 years of age.

The Susu is listed as endangered. As stated before, there is no clear knowledge regarding exactly how many of these dolphins are in existence. However, it is known that the numbers are under five thousand. The Susu is hunted for its meat, which is eaten, and for oil, which is used in lamps as fuel. Fishing nets also have contributed to the endangered status of the Susu. Another reason these dolphins are failing to thrive is the separation between "populations" by man made dams. These dams prohibit the dolphins from breeding with those who live in areas other then their own.

The copyright of the article Dolphin Feature - The Susu in Dolphins is owned by Carma Haley Shoemaker. Permission to republish Dolphin Feature - The Susu in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.