Specy

Risso's dolphin

Mammals

Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) is the only living species in the genus Grampus, a member of the oceanic dolphin family Delphinidae closely related to pilot whales, pygmy killer whales, melon-headed whales and false killer whales. Adults reach about 10 feet in length, occasionally up to 13 feet, and weigh 660 to 1,100 pounds, making them among the heaviest dolphins. Their skin is covered in extensive white scarring, with calves born gray brown and cream that grow paler with age until many older animals are almost entirely white. The species lives in cold to temperate waters worldwide across the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and connected seas such as the Mediterranean and Baltic, generally over continental shelf waters 1,300 to 3,300 feet deep, though it can dive to 2,000 feet chasing prey. It feeds mainly at night on squid and octopus using echolocation, and is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though it faces threats from fishing nets, whaling, pollution and underwater noise.

Facts
Scientific Name
Grampus griseus 4
Conservation Status
Least Concern 3
Body Size Band
Large 6
Activity Pattern
Nocturnal 6
Activity Pattern
Crepuscular 6
Lifespan
42.5 7
Classification
Diet
Piscivore 1
System (Realm)
Marine 2
Relationship to People
Hunted or Fished 3
Living or Extinct
Yes 4
Comparison
NatureServe Rank
G5 Secure 5
CITES Appendix
Appendix II 3
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Delphinidae, Taxa
Source Risso's dolphin (Wikidata)

In Biome

Open Ocean, Biomes
Source NatureServe Explorer: Grampus griseus
Additional Source Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology): Grampus griseusAquatic Biomes
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Belgium

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Brazil

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Colombia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Comoros

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Denmark

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Ecuador

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Eritrea

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Greece

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Ireland

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Kenya

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Madagascar

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Mauritius

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Mexico

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Mozambique

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Namibia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

New Zealand

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Norway

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Seychelles

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Spain

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Taiwan

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Tanzania

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Venezuela

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014)
  • Diet: Piscivore
2. GBIF Species API
GBIF Species API
  • System (Realm): Marine
View the Source
3. Risso's dolphin (Wikipedia)
  • Conservation status (IUCN Red List category stated in entity description)
    feeds mainly at night on squid and octopus using echolocation, and is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though it faces threats from fishing nets, whaling, pollution and
  • Lead section
    Risso's dolphins are currently protected in the United States, but they are still hunted in other parts of the world.
  • Category: Fauna listed on CITES Appendix II
View the Source
4. Risso's dolphin (Wikidata)
Wikidata
  • Wikidata Q203897 (P225 taxon name)
  • Statements section, conservation status (P141)
    IUCN Red List conservation status (Wikidata property P141): least concern.
  • Child Taxon Of: Delphinidae, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the Source
5. NatureServe Explorer: Grampus griseus
NatureServe Explorer
  • Global rank (roundedGRank)
    "roundedGRank": "G5"
  • In Biome: Open Ocean, Species characteristics: Pelagic
    "marineHabitatDescEn": "Pelagic"
View the Source
6. Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014): EltonTraits 1.0 mammal diet data
Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014)
  • Row: grampus griseus
    5357 Grampus griseus Delphinidae 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ref_1 ABC M A 1 1 0 Ref_115 ABC 387500 Ref_117 1
  • MamFuncDat.txt row Grampus griseus, Activity columns
    Grampus griseus Delphinidae 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ref_1 ABC M A 1 1 0
View the Source
7. Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of Liverpool: AnAge entry for Grampus griseus
Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of LiverpoolLifespan, ageing, and relevant traits
Quote, Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits
Maximum longevity 42.5 years (captivity)
View the Source
Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology): Grampus griseus
Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology)In Biome: Open Ocean, Aquatic Biomes
Quote, In Biome: Open Ocean, Aquatic Biomes
Habitat Regions temperate temperate tropical tropical saltwater or marine saltwater or marine Aquatic Biomes pelagic pelagic benthic benthic coastal coastal
View the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.

Nature Atlas

How Nature Works
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme

Switch Atlas