Maximum length 5.2 m; weight 1.5-3.6 t.
A beaked whale having slender head, slightly bulbous forehead and an
upturned beak. Body black, paler on ventral surface; often adorned with
oval white scars on belly and sides. Dorsal fin small and curved. Flippers
lobate and pointed. Tail flukes without any notch. Mandibular teeth
distinctively shaped like ginkgo-tree leaves and situated upon raised areas
in the rear half of each side of the lower jaw; teeth widest antero-posteriorly
of any Mesoplodon, i.e. 100 mm. Juveniles 2-2.5 m long at birth.