Dolphin carries for life the scars that show how it was nearly eaten by mystery giant predator as a calf

A battle-scarred Risso dolphin was pictured leaping and diving in the water off Monterey Bay in California last week, presumably overjoyed to be alive. 

Down each side of its sleek sides were long teeth marks - a reminder that despite their playful nature life in the ocean is filled with danger for dolphins. 

The sighting of the dolphin quickly led to speculation among marine biologists and whale watchers as to what predator left the marks. 

+4

Lucky: Long scars left over from an attack cover the body of this Risso dolphin

+4

Attack: The scars on both sides of the dolphin likely came from a killer whale attack while it was a calf

The dolphin, which was photographed by Monterey Bay Whale Watch's Everett Robinson, appeared none the worse for its injuries, which appeared to have healed a long time ago. 

Killer whale researcher Alisa Schulman-Janiger told GrindTV: 'This dolphin is very lucky to have gotten away. The bite mark implies that the whole animal was in the predator’s mouth, and now it appears to be thriving.'

Many have suggested that the Risso, one of the largest dolphins in the world, had been attacked as a calf, and that the scars had stretched as it grew. 

Possible culprits included a great white shark or even a twin propeller on a boat. But the symmetry of the scars on both sides have led many to believe that a killer whale may have been responsible.

Schulman-Janiger said that Rissos were often preyed on by orcas and, although the scars were wide apart, they could have stretched. 

+4

Damaged: The scars run the length of the dolphin's body, ending in one long scratch before its tail

+4

Spotted: The dolphin has been seen frequently off Monterey Bay by guides leading whale watching excursions

She added: 'The scars grow with the dolphin, so the actual size of these teeth were likely somewhat smaller than the scars indicate.'

The dolphin has been spotted several times this year off Monterey Bay, by tour guides leading whale watching excursions. 

Kate Cummings, of Blue Ocean Whale Watch, took some amazing images of the Risso in April, clearly showing the teeth marks.