Things With Wings

UK wildlife photography community at thingswithwings.uk — loading the latest sightings…

Risso's Dolphin · Field Guide · Things With Wings

🦊

Risso's Dolphin

Grampus griseus

Not yet photographed by the community

Blunt head; older adults almost completely white-scarred.

Species Profile

Least Concern (IUCN); not assessed on UK Red List but population trends stable globally

Lifespan: 35–40 years in the wild
Size & Weight: 3.5–3.8 m in length; 300–500 kg
Habitat: Deep offshore waters and continental shelf edges, typically in waters deeper than 200 m.
UK Distribution: Irregularly found in UK waters, particularly in south-western approaches and Celtic Sea; more common in summer months as a non-resident visitor.
Diet: Deep-diving squid and fish, particularly mesopelagic prey species found at depth.
Prey: Squid (particularly Teuthida species), lanternfish, and other deep-sea fish
Predators: Orcas (killer whales) and large sharks; calves vulnerable to other cetaceans
Mating Season: Year-round with peaks in summer months
Breeding: Single calf born after 13–14 month gestation period; calves nurse for 1–2 years; breeding interval of 2–4 years
Behaviour: Highly social dolphins forming groups of 5–50 individuals, sometimes aggregating into larger schools. They are deep divers reaching depths of 500+ m and are known for their acrobatic surface behaviour. Risso's dolphins are relatively vocal, using clicks and whistles for echolocation and communication.

Sources and editorial status

The short identification summary comes from the Things With Wings species catalogue. The extended species profile is AI-assisted and has not been individually reviewed by a wildlife expert, so verify important identification or conservation details with the specialist sources below.

Profile generated 24 June 2026

Spotted an error? Tell us so it can be corrected.

🦊

No photos yet

Be the first to photograph a Risso's Dolphin and share it with the community.