Last Updated on April 11, 2023 by Amin Tawar
Pilot Whale Length
There are hundreds and thousands of different types of whales out there in the world’s oceans and seas. Out of these are the giant pilot whales.
Pilot whales are large cetaceans that belong to the family Delphinidae. They are known for their distinctive black or dark gray color and their tall, triangular dorsal fin.
Pilot whales are similar in appearance to killer whales, but they are generally smaller and have a more rounded head. Apart from this, they also have a distinct size, which can be used to tell them apart from other types of whales.
Adult pilot whales can reach lengths of up to 20 feet (6.1 m) and weigh up to 6 tons at max. The average length of an adult pilot whale is generally around 4–6 meters (13–20 feet), although there is some variation within the species.
Female pilot whales tend to be slightly smaller than males, with an average length of around 15-18 feet, while males can reach lengths of up to 20 feet or more. Overall males are 1 m longer than their female counterparts.
These whales are found in all the world’s oceans, but they prefer cooler waters and are often found near the poles. Pilot whales are social animals that live in large groups called pods, which can number in the hundreds.
| Pilot whale | Meter | Feet |
| Average length | 4–6 meters | 13–20 feet |
Pilot Whale Weight
Another parameter useful while telling apart one species from another is their weight or body mass.
Pilot whales are carnivorous animals that feed on a variety of prey, including squid, octopus, and various species of fish.
They are known to hunt and consume a wide range of prey, depending on what is available in their habitat. Pilot whales have a relatively large appetite and can consume up to 30 kilograms (66 lbs) of food per day.
As a result, the Pilot whales are quite heavy with adults reaching weights of up to 6 tons.
The average weight of an adult pilot whale is generally around 2,200 to 6,600 pounds, although there is some variation within the species.
Female pilot whales tend to be slightly smaller than males, with an average weight of around 1,300 kg (2800 lbs), while males can reach weights of up to 2,300 kg (5000 lbs) or more. 1
| Pilot whale | Kilogram (Kg) | Pounds (lbs) |
| Average weight | 997 – 2721 kg | 2,200 to 6,600 lbs |
| Male weight | 2,300 kg | 5070 lbs |
| Female weight | 1,300 kg | 2866 lbs |
Pilot Whale Brain Size
There is no doubt that in terms of length and weight, these whales are massive, but have you ever wondered how large their brains would be?
Pilot whales are considered to be highly intelligent animals and are known for exhibiting complex behaviors and social dynamics.
Pilot whales are known to have large brains, with an average brain mass of around 8,000 cubic centimeters.
On the other hand, the human brain is just 1300 cubic centimeters. This is roughly equivalent to the brain size of a bottlenose dolphin, which is another large cetacean species. The large size of their brain may be an adaptation that has allowed them to develop these cognitive abilities.
Pilot Whale Baby Size
Pilot whales are large cetaceans, and newborn calves are relatively large at birth, weighing around 180-190 pounds and measuring around 6-8 feet in length.
At six months of age, a pilot whale calf is likely to weigh around 1,000-1,500 pounds and measure around 12-15 feet in length.
By 12 months of age, a pilot whale calf is likely to be closer to its adult size, weighing around 2,000-3,000 pounds and measuring around 15-20 feet in length.
Pilot Whale Size Comparison To Human
Pilot whales are large but can you visualize how large or small? You can do so by comparing the size of the Pilot whale with us. Like we know what our size is, and by visualizing the whale beside us we can understand the actual size of the pilot whales.
While adult Pilot whales have a length of 4–6 meters (13–20 feet) and a weight of 997 – 2721 kg (2,200 to 6,600 pounds), an average human has a length of 5.5 to 5.9 feet and a weight of 132 to 176 pounds (60 to 80 kgs).
This means that pilot whales are significantly larger than humans, with an average size that is 3-4 times the size of an adult human.
| Animal type | Length | Weight |
| Pilot whale | 4–6 meters (13–20 feet) | 997 – 2721 kg (2,200 to 6,600 pounds) |
| Average adult human | 5.5 to 5.9 feet | 132 to 176 pounds (60 to 80 kgs) |
Pilot Whale Size Comparison To Killer Whale/Orca
How about the size of the Pilot whale compared to the killer whale? On average they have a length of 4–6 meters (13–20 feet) and a weight of 997 – 2721 kg (2,200 to 6,600 pounds).
In comparison, adult killer whales can grow to be up to 20-26 feet long and weigh up to 11 tons.
Based on this you can see that Pilot whales are smaller than killer whales.
| Animal type | Length | Weight |
| Pilot whale | 4–6 meters (13–20 feet) | 997 – 2721 kg (2,200 to 6,600 pounds) |
| Orcas/killer whale | 6 to 8 meters (20 to 26 ft) | 6 metric tons (13,000 pounds) |
Pilot Whale Size Comparison To Blue Whale
While this whale is smaller than the Killer whales, it would obviously be smaller than the largest of all the Blue whales. Pilot whales are much smaller than blue whales.
On average they have a length of 4–6 meters (13–20 feet) and weight of 997 – 2721 kg (2,200 to 6,600 pounds).
In comparison, blue whales are the largest animals on Earth, with adult males reaching lengths of up to 100 feet (30 meters) and weighing as much as 200 tons.
Adult females are slightly larger, reaching up to 110 feet (33 meters) in length and weighing up to 300 tons. And, the average length is 100 feet (30 meters) and weight 400,000 pounds (200 tons).
| Animal type | Length | Weight |
| Pilot whale | 4–6 meters (13–20 feet) | 997 – 2721 kg (2,200 to 6,600 pounds) |
| Blue whale | 65-75 ft | 400,000 pounds (200 tons) |
Pilot Whale Size Comparison To Sperm Whale
Pilot whales and sperm whales are both members of the cetacean family, which includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises, but sperm whales are generally larger and have a more distinctive appearance, with a huge square head and a narrow lower jaw.
Sperm whales are also known for their extremely large brains, which are the largest of any animal on Earth.
In terms of size difference, the pilot whale is 4–6 meters (13–20 feet) in length and 997 – 2721 kg (2,200 to 6,600 pounds) in weight. In contrast, the sperm whale is 11 – 16 meters (36 – 52 ft) in length and 41 tonnes (45 short tons) in weight.
| Animal type | Length | Weight |
| Pilot whale | 4–6 meters (13–20 feet) | 997 – 2721 kg (2,200 to 6,600 pounds) |
| Sperm whale | Male: 16 meters (52 ft) Female: 11 meters (36 ft) | Male: 41 tonnes (45 short tons) Female: 14 tonnes (15 short tons) |
Conclusion
And that was everything you need to know about the size of Pilot Whale. I hope this article was informative enough and your queries were answered.
Thank You For Reading!
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