Story at a glance
- Dana Wharf Whale Watch in Southern California spotted a rare white Risso’s dolphin on Friday.
- These dolphins are leucistic, meaning their white appearance is the result of a genetic mutation that causes reduced pigmentation.
- Often found in groups of 10-30, the Risso’s dolphin can reach up to 13 feet long, 1,100 pounds and live up to 35 years.
Whale watchers in Southern California were treated to a special sight last Friday when they spotted a white Risso’s dolphin.
“Today at Dana Wharf Whale Watch the sightings included 9 fin whales, 3 humpback whales, 2 Minke whales, Risso’s dolphin including a leucistic Risso’s, bottlenose dolphin and common dolphin, plus Henry the Masked Booby,” the Dana Wharf Whale Watch wrote on Facebook. “On the Ocean Adventures with Captain Chase Moore and deckhand Georgina Stone, we saw Risso’s dolphin on our first three trips today.”
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White Risso’s dolphin are rare, and their white appearance is due to a genetic mutation that causes reduced pigmentation, a form of leucism.
Protected under the Marine Mammal Act Protection, Risso’s dolphin are often found in groups of 10-30, and can reach up to 13 feet long and 1,100 pounds and live up to 35 years.
Risso’s dolphins can be found offshore across the world in warm, temperate waters.
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