Swimming with mum
WALES High-spirited images of a Risso's dolphin calf have been captured in UK waters 328 feet off the coast of North Wales on September 7.
This days-old 44-pound calf is seen playfully swimming backstroke alongside its mum and playing with stray seaweed.
The images also show huge scars on the body of the adult dolphin.
This is due to scaring caused by social interactions, fighting and tooth rakes with other Risso's dolphins and from prey such as squid.
The scars heal white rather than their original grey due to a lack of repigmentation.
The scaring and white colouration can be advantageous as a display, which reduces further challenges from other males.
British wildlife photographer Talvinder Chohan captured these spectacular images.
“We knew there was a chance these dolphins might appear, as they are resident in Welsh waters, but to see such a tiny calf, which could have only been days old, was a huge surprise and a blessing,” he told mediadrumworld.com.
“We were fortunate to see one large individual breaching close to shore, which made for stunning images and video footage.
“Watching the calf play with a seaweed while swimming alongside its mum was the most heart-warming sight.”
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