description Whale shark Overview
The whale shark is a slow-moving, filter-feeding carpet shark and the largest known extant fish species. Found in tropical and warm-temperate ocean waters worldwide, it can reach lengths of approximately 18 meters. The species feeds primarily on plankton and small nekton by filtering water through its large gill rakers. Whale sharks are known to gather seasonally at specific coastal feeding sites, such as those off the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico and Ningaloo Reef in Australia.
insights Ranking position
Whale shark ranks #1 of 182 in the Shark ranking, ahead of Great white shark.
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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