PBS - The Voyage of the Odyssey - Track the Voyage - MALDIVES
The modification of teeth as a secondary sexual characteristic in several male squid eating odontoctes results in heavy scarring that may serve to advertise an individuals strength, longevity and viability as a potential mate. Because of the pronounced sexual dimorphism in species such as sperm whales and beaked whales and the fact that it is usually only the males that have teeth, we can often determine their sex in the wild and therefore better understand their behavior. However, as dolphins of both sexes have teeth and are of a similar size - there is no evidence of size difference in Risso's dolphins, we are unable to determine at this point if adult male Risso's dolphins are more heavily scarred than females.
It is extremely exciting for the Odyssey scientists and crew to have the opportunity to witness this poorly understood behavior. We look forward to analysing photographs and video footage taken in an effort to promote our understanding of the body scarring, mating behavior and social structure of Risso's dolphins.
This is Genevieve Johnson speaking to you from the Odyssey in Sri Lanka.
A Risso's dolphin exposes its milky-white belly while being pursued by the group.
Photo: Chris Johnson
Links:
View a video report from the Galapagos Islands of another encounter with Risso's Dolphins -
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