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?



Risso’s dolphins around the Isle of Man










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    up vote
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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?



    Risso’s dolphins around the Isle of Man










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      up vote
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      down vote

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      up vote
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      down vote

      favorite











      Risso's dolphin in wild population seem to obtain scratches with aging. What is causing them and what do they mean?



      Risso’s dolphins around the Isle of Man










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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?



      Risso’s dolphins around the Isle of Man







      zoology marine-biology






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      edited Nov 30 at 22:12









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      asked Nov 30 at 19:18









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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
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              up vote
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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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                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.






                share|improve this answer








                New contributor




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                  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.






                  share|improve this answer








                  New contributor




                  Variegated Meadowhawk is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.









                  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.







                  share|improve this answer








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                  share|improve this answer



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                  answered Dec 1 at 0:46









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                      up vote
                      4
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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






                      share|improve this answer

























                        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






                        share|improve this answer























                          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






                          share|improve this answer












                          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







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered Nov 30 at 20:33









                          RHA

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