Past Featured Whales
On Sun, August 22, 2004 we were surprised to see a group of
Risso's Dolphins
, or Grampus, between Stellwagen Bank and Jeffreys Ledge. Risso's are large for dolphins, reaching 13-15 feet in males. The group was of 15-20 animals, and included at least one young calf. Many animals in the group were apparently body surfing on the swells present that day. Their unusual coloration (gray, covered with lines and scratches) made this offshore species unmistakable. Risso's dolphins usually feed on squid, and we have heard from several fishermen that squid are more abundant than usual, so these animals may have been chasing prey. They were certainly an unexpected treat!
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