Cetacean with a very robust body, large head, small mouth and characteristic dorsal fin curved backwards and far forward.

It is black or very dark grey in colour, with a slightly lighter stripe from the dorsal fin towards the back, fading towards the tail.

They can grow up to 5 metres long and weigh up to 1500 kilos. Females are somewhat smaller, reaching up to 4 metres.

They feed mainly on cephalopods and dive down to 1000 metres. 

It differs from the long-finned pilot whale in having shorter pectoral fins.