A large dark gray to brownish black baleen whale; narrow V-shaped rostrum has a prominent median ridge; dorsal fin is angled strongly rearward, located about one-third the body length forward from the fluke notch, and is followed by a distinct dorsal ridge that extends to the tail; throat has numerous longitudinal grooves; many individuals have a whitish chevron on each side of the back above the flippers; right lower lip and right front baleen are whitish, left lower lip is dark and remainder of baleen is streaked with yellowish white and bluish gray; flippers are fairly long and narrow; b

Reddish brown pelage, with two grayish, brownish, or whitish dark-bordered stripes on each side of the back, a dark stripe down the middle of the back, and a whitish stripe above and below each eye; long bushy tail, the underside of which is reddish brown or tawny; back side of ear blackish in front, gray in rear; brown stripe below ear; total length to around 30 cm.

Head and front part of body mainly brown, fading to yellowish by late summer, with white guard hairs; small ears; prominent bushy tail; short legs; dark brown feet; white incisors; total length 450-785 mm (Whitaker 1996).