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| Note the high, slender, scythe-like dorsal fins and extensive dorsal scarring of these Risso's dolphins. |
A typical group of several dozen Risso's dolphins, seen underwater. |
| Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) are large oceanic dolphins distributed throughout most of the world's tropical and warm-temperate waters. They typically reach 10 feet (3m) in length as adults, weighing up to 650 lbs (330kg). Research suggests that their preferred prey are squid, although they are known to predate upon fishes as well. |
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| Individual Risso's dolphins are easy to distinguish because of the unique scarring patterns borne on their dorsal fins and bodies. |
Extensive scarring makes this adult Risso's dolphin appear almost totally white. |
| One distinguishing characteristic of Risso's dolphins are the white scars they acquire (and keep) throughout their lives. It is thought these scars are the result of teeth scrapes from other Risso's dolphins, injuries from parasites and/or squid. In some adults the scarring is so extensive that the animal appears nearly all white (in contrast to the dark gray color seen in juveniles and adults that have no acquired much scarring). |
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| A full breach. |
A spyhop. |
A full breach. Note this Risso's dolphin's white ventral patch (contrasting against its unscarred dark gray body) is apparent. |
| The typical lifespan of a Risso's dolphin is estimated to be at least 20 years and perhaps up to 40 years. They often travel in groups of five to 50 animals, and recent evidence suggests that these groups may be stable and composed of related individuals, although this has not been proven. Occasionally many groups will coalesce into a huge herd of many hundreds or thousands of Risso's dolphins. sometimes mixed with other species of dolphin as well. |
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| Sri Lanka and various Asian societies (including Japan and Taiwan) hunt and consume Risso's dolphins as food. |
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| A tail slapping juvenile Risso's dolphin. |
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See also:
Atlantic Spotted Dolphin Pacific White-Sided Dolphin Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin Bottlenose Dolphin Common Dolphin |
| Keywords: Risso's dolphin photos, Grampus griseus photo, photograph, dolphin, whale, cetacean, ocean, photography, photograph, underwater, wildlife, ocean, marine |
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