Maximum length of 4 metres.

Body is grey, often with conspicuous lighter grey scratches all over. Heavily scarred individuals may appear almost white.

Dorsal fin and pectoral flippers are darker grey than the body.

Dorsal fin is large and curved, "shark-like" in appearance.

Head is very blunt and rounded without a noticeable rostrum (beak).

Melon (forehead) is prominent with a distinctive furrow down the centre.

Social animals, group sizes range from 10-50. On rare occasions, a lone individual has been spotted.

Deep divers.

May porpoise, breach, and spyhop.

Not common throughout British Columbia but seen with some regularity near Haida Gwaii and western Vancouver Island.

Generally prefer offshore waters, but have occasionally been seen in shallow bays and inlets in B.C.

Most often reported in the summer months, although fall and winter sightings have been recorded.

It is thought that the scarring seen on Risso's dolphins are teeth rake marks caused by other individuals during social interactions.

At a distance Risso's dolphins could be confused with killer whales because of their relatively tall dorsal fin, but the Risso's dorsal fin is lighter in colour.