Dolphin · Delphinidae

Short-finned pilot whale

Globicephala macrorhynchusGray, 1846

A deep-diving, sociable relative of the long-finned pilot whale. Short-finned pilot whales are among the most frequently seen cetaceans off Madeira, where some groups are resident year-round.

  • Baleia-piloto-tropical
  • Boca-de-panela
Illustration of a short-finned pilot whale: a black whale with a round head and a broad, curved dorsal fin
Illustration: NOAA Fisheries
Conservation statusLC

Least Concern

IUCN Red List · global
  1. LC
  2. NT
  3. VU
  4. EN
  5. CR
  6. EW
  7. EX
Population trend
unknown
Legally protected under
  • EU Habitats Directive
  • CITES II
Weight1–3 t
Length3.5–7.2 m
LifespanUp to 63 years
DistributionTropical & warm temperate seas
Main threats
  • Boat disturbance
  • Bycatch
  • Underwater noise
  • Pollution
01About the speciesThe short-finned pilot whale lives in tropical and warm temperate waters worldwide.

The short-finned pilot whale lives in tropical and warm temperate waters worldwide. It is closely related to the long-finned pilot whale and very similar in appearance.

Madeira hosts both resident and visiting groups, making it one of the best places in Europe to see this species. It also occurs around the Azores, mainly in summer.

02Population statusThe species is listed as Least Concern and is widespread, with several hundred thousand animals worldwide.

The species is listed as Least Concern and is widespread, with several hundred thousand animals worldwide.

Long-term photo-identification in Madeira has identified island-associated groups that are seen year after year.

03AppearanceShort-finned pilot whales have a rounded, bulbous head, a broad, low dorsal fin set forward on the body and a dark grey to black body with a pale saddle and chest patch.

Short-finned pilot whales have a rounded, bulbous head, a broad, low dorsal fin set forward on the body and a dark grey to black body with a pale saddle and chest patch.

Their flippers are shorter than those of the long-finned pilot whale — around a sixth of the body length.

04Behaviour & dietThey feed mainly on squid, making fast, deep dives to 600–1,000 metres — sometimes described as the “cheetahs of the deep” for their high-speed sprints after prey.

They feed mainly on squid, making fast, deep dives to 600–1,000 metres — sometimes described as the “cheetahs of the deep” for their high-speed sprints after prey.

They live in stable matrilineal groups of 10–30 animals and are often seen resting at the surface in tight groups, a behaviour known as logging.

05Lifespan & reproductionFemales can live for over 60 years and go through menopause, while males live up to around 45 years.

Females can live for over 60 years and go through menopause, while males live up to around 45 years.

Gestation lasts about 15 months, and calves nurse for two years or more. Females give birth every five to eight years.

06ThreatsAround Madeira, the growing whale-watching industry can disturb resting groups if boats approach too closely or too often.

Around Madeira, the growing whale-watching industry can disturb resting groups if boats approach too closely or too often.

Bycatch, underwater noise and pollutants are additional threats across their range.

Legal protection
  • EU Habitats Directive — Annex IV
  • CITES — Appendix II
07Scientific classificationDelphinidae › Globicephala › Globicephala macrorhynchus
  1. KingdomAnimalia
  2. PhylumChordata
  3. ClassMammalia
  4. OrderArtiodactyla
  5. InfraorderCetacea
  6. ParvorderOdontoceti
  7. FamilyDelphinidae
  8. GenusGlobicephala
  9. SpeciesGlobicephala macrorhynchus
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