Whale Shark
Rhincodon typus
- Where
- Tropical oceans worldwide
- Habitat
- Open ocean and coastal feeding areas
- Diet
- Filter feeder — plankton, small fish, eggs
- Size
- Largest fish in the world — up to ~40 ft
- Lifespan
- Possibly 70–100 years
- Conservation
- Endangered — ship strikes and fishing bycatch are risks.
Fun Facts
- Despite the name, whale sharks are sharks (fish), not whales (mammals).
- They are gentle giants and usually ignore divers when feeding.
- Each whale shark has a unique spot pattern, like a fingerprint.
Learn More
Whale sharks cruise slowly with mouths open to filter tiny food from the water — similar in idea to baleen whales, but with a shark body plan.
They migrate long distances following plankton blooms and fish spawning events.
Protecting coral reefs and reducing plastic pollution supports the food webs whale sharks depend on.