Risso’s dolphins are found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide, typically in deep water close to land.
They grow to 10 feet (3 metres) long on average, and feed almost exclusively on shoals of oceanic squid, mostly hunting at night.
While hunting dives are typically short, lasting less than five minutes, the mammals can reach depths of 1,000 ft (300 metres).
Risso’s dolphins are found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide, typically in deep water close to land. Older individuals appear mostly white, and are often covered in scars from social interactions (artist’s impression)
Older individuals appear mostly white, and are often covered in scars from social interactions.
The dolphins typically travel in groups of 10–50, but these may grow to huge collectives that reach 400.
Smaller social subgroups often form within larger groups, and the species has also been known to travel with other marine mammals, including gray wales.