General Description

Body colour ranges from dark grey to almost entirely white. Typically grey covered with white scratches and markings. White underside and very short snout. Up to 4.3 m long.

Biology

Risso's Dolphins live in small to medium groups. They are often seen mixing with other dolphin species and interbreeding (hybridisation) with the Bottlenose Dolphin has been frequently observed. Births typically occur during the warmer months.

Humans interactions include:
Long-line fishing, direct hunting for human consumption and sometimes used for fertilizer.

Habitat

Deep oceanic and continental slope waters of tropical and temperate regions.

Open water

Distribution guide

Worldwide. Southern Australia. Potentially near Port Phillip, recorded from Victoria.

Species Group

Mammals › Whales and dolphins

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

Surface Midwater

Max Size

4.3 m

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Least Concern
• CITES : Trade restrictions (Appendix II)