# 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. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Deep ocean waters - **Also known as:** Gray Dolphin, Risso's Grampus ![Risso's Dolphin](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425918/objects/4513.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Cetacea - **Family:** Delphinidae - **Genus:** Grampus ## 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 - **Sonar Sense:** Risso's Dolphin can use echolocation to find hidden prey in the deep, dark ocean waters. - **Deep Dive Master:** Risso's Dolphin can dive hundreds of meters deep to hunt their favorite food, squid. - **Scar Stories:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/orca) (*Orcinus orca*) — Orcas are known predators of dolphins. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low While Risso's dolphins are gentle, it's best to observe them from a distance in the wild. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Risso's Dolphin? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Risso's Dolphin? 260-400 cm ### How much does Risso's Dolphin weigh? 300-500 kg ### How long does Risso's Dolphin live? 30-40 years ### How fast can Risso's Dolphin move? 30 km/h ### What does Risso's Dolphin eat? These dolphins mostly feast on yummy squid and octopuses found deep in the ocean. ### Where is Risso's Dolphin usually found? Deep ocean waters ### How does Risso's Dolphin hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Monterey Bay Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monterey-bay-aquarium-california) — California, US · Aquarium - [Monterey Bay Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monterey-bay-aquarium) — California, US · Zoo ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Risso's Dolphin: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/risso-s-dolphin)