Risso’s Dolphin
Scientific Name : Grampus Griseus
- IUCN: Not Endangered/ Least Concern
- Other names: Grampus, pointy-head whale, grey whale
- Swahili name: Pomboo komo
- Length: 3-3.8m
- Weight: 300-400kg
- Life expectancy: Though life expectancy is still unknown, the sexual maturity of females is around 8 years while the males reach maturity at around 12 years of age.
- Abundance: Offshore tropical and temperate waters around the world
- Occurance: Year-Round; in Kenya dead strandings and occasional live
- Primary prey: Mainly squid
- Conservation status: Unknown, though there are concerns with fishery bycatch in many areas
- Quick key identification: Robust dolphin devoid of snout. Compact almost square head similar to a pilot whale. Anterior part of body is sturdy and narrows at the tail. Long, large, curved, sickle shape dorsal fin located at the center of back and noticeably long and thin pectoral flippers that are black in colour. Head is white with gradual darkening of colouration towards the back. Signature scratches/scarring. Mouthline slopes up. Teeth are unique with Risso’s dolphin with only 2-7 teeth on each side of the lower jaw only. .
Details coming soon
