Pilot whales are jet black with a white patch on their chin, which may extend dorsally to the anus. They have a large, blubous head, with no beak and a slightly prominent upper lip. There are 7-9 large, conical teeth in each side of the uper and lower jaws. The flippers are short (about 1/5 of body length) and sickle-shaped. The dorsal fin is located further forward on the body than on any other cetacean. There is a median notch on the tail flukes. Sexual dimorphism occurs, with males reaching 5.9 m in length and 3000 kg and females growing to 4 m and 1200 kg.

Range mass: 1200 to 3000 kg.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: male larger