Although it’s the biggest fish in the sea, the whale shark displays a docile temperament, making it an object of fascination and admiration for those fortunate enough to encounter it. With their distinctively broad and flattened heads and imposing size, whale sharks possess a presence that commands attention.
At-A-Glance
Size: Average length between 18-32ft with a max size of 61ft.
Habitat: Worldwide in the tropical Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
Diet: Plankton, shrimp, fish eggs, krill, jellies, and small fishes; via suction feeding.
Reproduction: Ovoviviparous- embryos are developed in eggs that hatch in the female’s uterus, then the young are born live. Only litter documented was more than 300 pups.
IUCN listing: Endangered.
Protection: Listed under Appendix II of CITES and Appendix II of CMS.
Bet You Didn’t Know…
1. The whale shark is the largest fish in the world.
2. Each whale shark has its own unique spot pattern.
3. Whale sharks have 300 rows of teeth on each jaw, though it is believed that these teeth are not used for feeding.
Ready To Dive In?
Cancun, Mexico: May to September
Cozumel, Mexico: May to September
Gladden Spit, Belize: March to June
Donsol Bay, Philippines: December to May
Mafia Island, Tanzania: October to March
Ningaloo Reef, Australia: March to June
Tofo Beach, Mozambique: October and March
The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador: June to December
Science In The Spotlight
The eye is a vulnerable part of the body that takes in information from the surroundings. Many animals have eyelids to protect their eyes, but sharks have different strategies. Some sharks have an extra eyelid that covers their eyes completely during feeding. However, other sharks, including the whale shark, lack this protective membrane. Scientists in Japan studied ways that whale sharks protect their eyes. They discovered that whale sharks have eye denticles, which help reduce the risk of eye damage. LEARN WHAT THEY FOUND