Risso's Dolphin

Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) is the only species of the genus Grampus in the family Delphinidae (dolphins). Some of the most closely related species to these dolphins include pilot whales (Globicephala spp.), pygmy killer whales (Feresa attenuata), melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra), and false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens). These dolphins grow to be about 10 ft in length and can be identified by heavy scarring that appears white. They are located worldwide in cold to temperate waters, but most typically are found along continental shelves due to their eating habits. Risso's dolphins have a diet that contains primarily cephalopods. They are able to search for prey at various depths due to their ability to reach depths of almost 600 m (2,000 ft). Individuals typically travel in pods ranging from 10 to 50 dolphins, with which they form tight social bonds.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Risso's dolphin, by its authors, under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.