A Species We Don’t Often See
Over the last several days throughout May, we were delighted to encounter Risso’s dolphins, a species we see much less frequently compared to the common dolphin. These striking dolphins occasionally move closer to the coast, but recent sightings suggest we could be seeing them more often. Reported sightings of Risso’s dolphins around Cornwall and Devon more than doubled last year, likely linked to an increase in the availability of their preferred prey.
Why Are Risso’s Dolphins Coming Inshore?
Warmer air and sea temperatures are influencing marine ecosystems around Devon and Cornwall, creating favourable conditions for octopus populations to flourish. For Risso’s dolphins, which feed heavily on cephalopods, this boom in prey offers a rich food source.
Combined with the arrival of spawning cuttlefish in shallow coastal waters at this time of year, it may help explain why these normally offshore visitors are spending more time feeding close to our shores.
What We Saw on the Water
During our trips, the dolphins were less interactive with the boats than other dolphin species, although they were still seen actively feeding and occasionally breaching. Even from a distance, this provided passengers with some fantastic views.
How to Identify a Risso’s Dolphin
Risso’s dolphins are instantly recognisable by their tall dorsal fins and distinctive, heavily scarred grey bodies. These pale scratches and markings build up over time through interactions with other dolphins and their squid and octopus prey, giving each individual a unique, beautifully patterned appearance.
They lack a pronounced beak, instead featuring a rounded melon (forehead), and typically measure between 2.5 and 4 metres – making them the largest dolphin species. Find out more in our full Risso’s dolphin species guide.
A Season to Remember
Whether these more regular sightings become the new normal remains to be seen, but for now we’re making the most of every opportunity to watch these remarkable dolphins in local waters. With plenty of food available and calm spring conditions, it’s been a fantastic season for wildlife watching along the Cornish coast and we cant wait for the summer season. Learn more about the dolphins we see on our Sealife Safari trips.
