Risso's Dolphin

Grampus griseus

Risso's dolphins are friendly creatures that live in the ocean. They are known for their round heads and playful nature, often seen leaping out of the water.

Habitat: Deep ocean waters

Appearance

The Risso's Dolphin has a robust body and a distinctive rounded head with no prominent beak. Its skin is dark gray, becoming almost entirely covered in unique white scars and scratches over its lifetime, making each individual look different.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCetaceaFamilyDelphinidaeGenusGrampus

Risso's Dolphin

Interesting facts

Risso's dolphins only have teeth in their lower jaw, usually 2 to 7 pairs!

Risso's dolphins sometimes swim and socialize with other types of whales and dolphins!

Their body is often covered in white scars from squid bites and dolphin play!

They love to 'spyhop,' poking their head out of the water to look around!

Special abilities

Risso's Dolphin can use echolocation to find hidden prey in the deep, dark ocean waters.

Risso's Dolphin can dive hundreds of meters deep to hunt their favorite food, squid.

Risso's Dolphin has unique white scars that help scientists identify individual animals like fingerprints.

Measurements & details

Length: 260-400 cm
Weight: 300-500 kg
Lifespan: 30-40 years
Top Speed: 30 km/h
Litter Size: 1
Gestation: 395-425 days

Diet & Feeding

These dolphins mostly feast on yummy squid and octopuses found deep in the ocean.

Primary Foods

Humboldt squid
Japanese flying squid
Warty squid
Common octopus

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

eats

Humboldt squid

Dosidicus gigas

A primary food source in warmer waters.

eats

Japanese flying squid

Todarodes pacificus

An important part of their diet in Pacific regions.

eats

Common octopus

Octopus vulgaris

They hunt these on the seafloor.

eaten by

Orca

Orcinus orca

Orcas are known predators of dolphins.

Traits

Wildlife

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Furry

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Social

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Piscivorous

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Longevous

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Aquatic

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Marine

Dive into the vast, salty waters of the ocean, teeming with an incredible diversity of life, from tiny plankton to giant whales! It's a watery wonderland.