Grampus griseus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Risso’s dolphin
French : Dauphin de Risso

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Cetartiodactyla
Family : Delphinidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species grows to 4.10 meters in length for a weight of 500 kg. No sexual dimorphism. Square head with bulbous forehead and no discernible beak. Entire body often covered in white scarred tissue. Normal coloration is dark grey.

Range and habitat
This species as it is now is found in most temperate, tropical and subtropical seas, including all major oceans, from Alaska to Argentina and New Zealand. Lives in deep water areas off continental slopes, down to 1000 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species has a huge range and is very numerous. However declines have to be monitored in populations targeted (directly or not) by fisheries.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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