Species group · Mammals
Pilot Whales
WAnimals has 2 species of pilot whale, all in the family Delphinidae.
- 2 species
- 1 family
- 171 countries
- 74 parks
- Weight
- 300 kg – 2.3 t
- Length
- 2.6 m – 6.5 m
- Lifespan
- 35 – 45 years
Ranges calculated from the entries that record the figure, not from all 2.
All 2 species of pilot whales on WAnimals
Each one has its own full entry. This group does not replace them: it brings them together.
Conservation status
No species documented in this group is genuinely at risk according to the IUCN, with the data available today.
See the global conservation statusWhere they live
Recorded in 171 countries. The ones with the most species in the group:
Where to see them
- Al Hoceima2 species
- Alonissos y Esporadas del Norte2 species
- Archipielago de Cabrera2 species
- Arcipelago Toscano2 species
- Arrábida2 species
- Asinara2 species
- Brijuni2 species
- Burren2 species
- Cabo de Gata-Níjar2 species
- Calanques2 species
- Calzada del Gigante2 species
- Cinque Terre2 species
- Cabo de Palosdiving
- Costa de los Acantilados (Cabo San Vicente)diving
- El Hierro / La Restingadiving
- Garajau Marine Reserve (Madeira)diving
- Isla de Alborándiving
- Islas Azores (Princess Alice Bank)diving
Did you know…
It suffers mass strandings as a group because of the strong social bonds within its pods.
In the Faroe Islands it has been the subject of a traditional hunt documented for more than 11 centuries.
It feeds mainly on deep-water squid.
Its skin is usually covered in white scars, from fights with others of its kind and from struggles with the squid it mainly eats.
From Risso's Dolphin
Adults are covered in white scars caused by the teeth of other Risso's dolphins and by the beaks and suckers of squid; with age they come to look almost white.
From Risso's Dolphin
It has teeth only in the lower jaw, between two and seven pairs, because it swallows its prey whole.
From Risso's Dolphin