Why are the bodies of the Risso's dolphin covered in scratches?
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Risso's dolphin in wild population seem to obtain scratches with aging. What is causing them and what do they mean?
zoology marine-biology
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up vote
9
down vote
favorite
Risso's dolphin in wild population seem to obtain scratches with aging. What is causing them and what do they mean?
zoology marine-biology
New contributor
add a comment |
up vote
9
down vote
favorite
up vote
9
down vote
favorite
Risso's dolphin in wild population seem to obtain scratches with aging. What is causing them and what do they mean?
zoology marine-biology
New contributor
Risso's dolphin in wild population seem to obtain scratches with aging. What is causing them and what do they mean?
zoology marine-biology
zoology marine-biology
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New contributor
edited Nov 30 at 22:12
aaaaaa
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asked Nov 30 at 19:18
Mackenzie Smith
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2 Answers
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Agree, Risso's dolphin are primarily teuthophagus, meaning they eat a lot of squid. It's probably a combination of obtaining scratches from prey items and intra-specific fighting. Some of the beaked whales (Mesoplodon and Ziphius) are also characterized by these same scratches, particularly the males.
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Although little is known about these animals, they seem to obtain these scars from scratching in fights with their prey, giant squid, and from the teeth of other Risso's dolphin.
https://uk.whales.org/species-guide/rissos-dolphin
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
8
down vote
Agree, Risso's dolphin are primarily teuthophagus, meaning they eat a lot of squid. It's probably a combination of obtaining scratches from prey items and intra-specific fighting. Some of the beaked whales (Mesoplodon and Ziphius) are also characterized by these same scratches, particularly the males.
New contributor
add a comment |
up vote
8
down vote
Agree, Risso's dolphin are primarily teuthophagus, meaning they eat a lot of squid. It's probably a combination of obtaining scratches from prey items and intra-specific fighting. Some of the beaked whales (Mesoplodon and Ziphius) are also characterized by these same scratches, particularly the males.
New contributor
add a comment |
up vote
8
down vote
up vote
8
down vote
Agree, Risso's dolphin are primarily teuthophagus, meaning they eat a lot of squid. It's probably a combination of obtaining scratches from prey items and intra-specific fighting. Some of the beaked whales (Mesoplodon and Ziphius) are also characterized by these same scratches, particularly the males.
New contributor
Agree, Risso's dolphin are primarily teuthophagus, meaning they eat a lot of squid. It's probably a combination of obtaining scratches from prey items and intra-specific fighting. Some of the beaked whales (Mesoplodon and Ziphius) are also characterized by these same scratches, particularly the males.
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answered Dec 1 at 0:46
Variegated Meadowhawk
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up vote
4
down vote
Although little is known about these animals, they seem to obtain these scars from scratching in fights with their prey, giant squid, and from the teeth of other Risso's dolphin.
https://uk.whales.org/species-guide/rissos-dolphin
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
Although little is known about these animals, they seem to obtain these scars from scratching in fights with their prey, giant squid, and from the teeth of other Risso's dolphin.
https://uk.whales.org/species-guide/rissos-dolphin
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
Although little is known about these animals, they seem to obtain these scars from scratching in fights with their prey, giant squid, and from the teeth of other Risso's dolphin.
https://uk.whales.org/species-guide/rissos-dolphin
Although little is known about these animals, they seem to obtain these scars from scratching in fights with their prey, giant squid, and from the teeth of other Risso's dolphin.
https://uk.whales.org/species-guide/rissos-dolphin
answered Nov 30 at 20:33
RHA
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Mackenzie Smith is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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Mackenzie Smith is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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