Species · GBIF taxon 5220027
Risso's Dolphin
Grampus griseusAlso known as Grampus, Grey Dolphin, White-headed Dolphin
Risso's dolphins carry a lifetime of stories etched into their skin, accumulating white scars from social interactions and skirmishes with their deep-sea squid prey. These robust, blunt-headed cetaceans navigate continental slopes and deep ocean trenches, using highly sophisticated echolocation to hunt in the darkness of the twilight zone. They form stable, long-term social subgroups within larger pods, often socializing at the surface with playful leaps and tail slaps.
Deep-DivingOceanicSocial
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Squid
- Octopus
- Cuttlefish
Predators
- Killer Whale
- Great White Shark
ThreatsBycatch in fishing gear, marine noise pollution, plastic ingestion
HabitatsTemperate and tropical oceans, continental slopes, deep water trenches
Life span35 to 40 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyDelphinidae
- SpeciesGrampus griseus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe from a boat at a respectful distance.
- What to notice
- Look for a robust, grey body heavily marked with white scratches and a distinctively blunt, beakless head.
- Support conservation
- Never approach directly or cut off their path; allow them to initiate any close encounters on their own terms.
Responsible observation
- Boat Distance: Maintain a slow, steady speed and stay at least 100 yards away to avoid disrupting their natural behavior.
- Listen Closely: Listen for their distinctive clicks, whistles, and loud breathing blows when they surface near your vessel.
- Watch the Surface: Look for their tall, dark, falcate dorsal fins and pale, heavily scarred heads breaking the water.
Predator (c) Martín Acosta Albarracín, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Martín Acosta Albarracín · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Vsevolod Rudyi, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Vsevolod Rudyi · cc-by
Close Relative (c) tunicatedreamz, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Close Relative
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