Despite its name, the long-finned pilot whale is actually a large species of oceanic dolphin. The females can reach a length of up to 5.8 meters and weigh about 1,800 kg, while males are quite larger with a length about 7.6 meters and weight up to 3,500 kg. They can dive to depths up to 600 m for 10-16 minutes to feed on fish. This kind of dolphin is very social. They are usually seen in groups, which range in size from a couple of individuals to hundreds of them. Pilot whales are often observed in mixed species groups with bottlenose dolphins, minke whales, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, and others. They are leisurely swimmers, often lying motionless on the water surface—logging or floating, which allows slow-moving boats to approach. Breeding and mating usually take place in the North Atlantic between April and September. On the Canary Islands, they may be seen near the islands of Tenerife and La Palma. A particularly good time for watching the whales is during spring. At this time, they appear in groups of about six individuals and are accompanied by their calves. These two islands are the best for whale watching trips.
The video below is a proof that the pilot whales sound like dolphins.
