Description: The Long-Finned Pilot Whale is a fairly stocky whale, with low, rounded dorsal fin that is set one-third of the way along the body (in the young, the dorsal is more triangular). The flippers are pointed and long, often extending for as much as 25% of the body length in adults. The forehead is bulbous, leading to a small mouth which has between 8-13 pairs of teeth in each jaw. The body colour is very dark brown or grey-black, with the young being a lighter grey. Stranded animals are normally very dark. There is a light grey or white patch in the shape of an anchor on the throat and chest. There is also a streak behind the eye and a saddle patch behind the dorsal, but both of these can be either very visible or barely noticeable. Males reach a maximum of 6.3m and females 5.5m in length. The average body weight is 1.75 tonnes and 1 tonne respectively.
Habitat: Long-Finned Pilot Whales prefer subpolar and temperate waters where the surface has atemperature of between 0-25º. They are mainly an oceanic species, though they will enter coastal and shallow waters in search of food. Food & Feeding: Long-Finned Pilot Whales mainly take squid as a food source, but when none are available they will take fish. It is thought, however, that this species will take any locally abundant schooling prey.
Behaviour: Although an extremely social species, Long-Finned Pilot Whales are not normally acrobatic, preferring to move slowly and 'log' at the surface. They vocalise with clicks and whistles. Longevity: Between 35-60 years.