description Whale shark Overview
The whale shark is the largest living fish, a slow-moving carpet shark found in tropical and warm temperate seas worldwide. Very large individuals can approach 18 meters in length, although such size should not be treated as typical. A broad head and patterned body distinguish it visually from other sharks, while its feeding method sets it apart from the large predators often associated with the group. Plankton and small swimming organisms provide its food.
Water passes through filtering structures in the gill region, rather than the shark catching large prey with its teeth. Seasonal gatherings occur at productive coastal feeding sites, including waters off Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula and Australia's Ningaloo Reef. The species suits readers interested in how an immense animal can depend on small food sources. Its combination of offshore movement and coastal feeding aggregations also shows that a pelagic shark need not remain far from land.
help Whale shark FAQ
What is the largest known extant fish species in the world?
The whale shark is a slow-moving, filter-feeding carpet shark and the largest known extant fish species. They can reach incredible lengths of approximately 18 meters in the wild.
What do whale sharks eat?
The species feeds primarily on plankton and small nekton. They maintain their massive size by filter-feeding huge volumes of ocean water through their wide mouths.
Where are whale sharks typically found?
Whale sharks inhabit tropical and warm-temperate ocean waters worldwide. They are highly migratory creatures that travel vast distances to find seasonal aggregations of plankton and warm waters.
Are whale sharks dangerous to humans?
No, whale sharks are completely harmless to humans despite their massive size. They are docile filter feeders that are famous for allowing divers to swim peacefully alongside them.
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