This species was described in 2002 from five whales stranded along the California coast between 1975 and 1997. Squid remains were recorded in the stomachs of two type specimens.
Adult specimens have dark gray backs and white undersides. Their snout is relatively short compared with related species, but visual identification can be difficult.
Stomach examinations of two specimens used in the species description found squid remains. One held a squid eye lens; the other contained two beaks identified as Octopoteuthis deletron and unidentified vertebrate fragments.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.