Risso’s Dolphin Fast Facts
Scientific name: Grampus griseus
Class: Mammalia
Average length: 8.5 to 13 feet
Average weight: 660 to 1,100 pounds
Cruising speed: 5 to 10 mph
Gestation period: 13 to 14 months
Average lifespan: At least 35 years
Best time to see Risso’s dolphins in Southern California: Year-round
Risso’s Dolphins: Dive Deeper
Risso’s Dolphins. An incredibly unique name for such an incredible and unique dolphin species! Risso’s dolphins are named after Antoine Risso, a French naturalist who also has species of sea snails named after him.
Risso’s dolphins, scientifically known as the Grampus griseus, are cetaceans in the dolphin family which includes members such as common dolphins, pacific white-sided dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins. They are also considered part of a similar subfamily commonly known as “blackfish” that include species such as false killer whales, pilot whales, melon-headed whales, and pygmy killer whales.