One of the 26 sharks on WAnimals
Cartilaginous fish · Orectolobiformes · Rhincodontidae
Rhincodon typus
At very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
The largest fish in the world, a gentle giant that feeds by filtering plankton and small fish despite its colossal size.
Weight
9 t – 20 t
Size
9 m – 12 m
Life expectancy
70 years
Diet
Omnivore
Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.
Activity
Irregular activity
Active at irregular times, by day or night depending on circumstances.
Social structure
Solitary
Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.
AI-generated images: illustrations, not photographs.
Sources consulted: University of West Indies (OGATT) · CMS (Convention on Migratory Species) · AnAge (genomics.senescence.info) · Thai National Parks · Shark Research Institute · FishBase
Best time: November to May
Parks and dive sites where this species has been documented — showing 20 of 92.
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Whale Shark — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
The whale shark is classified as endangered. Organisations such as Wildbook for Whale Sharks work specifically on its conservation and that of its habitat; looking into their programmes is a good starting point if you want to get involved.
Visit the Wildbook for Whale Sharks websiteIt's documented in 13 protected areas — one reason why protecting these places matters for its conservation.
Based on what we already know about whale shark.
The pins mark the parks and dive sites where its presence is documented.
