JawDropper

Whale Shark

Shark in a Snapshot

Whale sharks, also known as the gentle giants of the ocean, hold the title for being the largest fish in the world—and they also hold the record for being my absolute favourite shark species! These magnificent creatures can grow up to 40 feet long and weigh as much as 20.6 tons, making them longer than a school bus. Despite their enormous size, whale sharks are known for their gentle nature and are harmless to humans.

Fin-tastic Facts

Whale sharks are filter feeders, which means they primarily consume plankton, tiny fish, and occasionally small squid. Their feeding method is quite remarkable:

• They can process over 6,000 litres (1500 gallons) of water every hour through their gills.
• Their mouth can stretch over 1 meter (4 feet) wide during feeding.
• Despite their massive size, their throats are very narrow, often compared to the size of a bottle top.

A few more interesting facts about whale sharks is that they have about 3,000 tiny teeth, less than 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) long, which help them eat small prey. They are also the deepest diving fish, capable of reaching depths of up to 1,900 metres. Researchers estimate that whale sharks can live up to 130 years, making them one of the longest-living vertebrates on the planet. Despite their size, whale sharks are surprisingly slow swimmers, typically moving at a speed of 3 to 5 miles per hour.

Though these facts are fascinating, what I love most about whale sharks is their unique pattern of spots and stripes, which are as distinctive as human fingerprints. Researchers use these patterns to identify and track individual sharks, helping us learn more about their movements and behaviour in the ocean.

Encounters of the Deep

Whale Sharks Are Known For Their Curious & Friendly BEHAVIOUR Towards Humans. In One Remarkable Instance, A Whale Shark Was Even Observed Interacting With A Dog On A Boat, Showcasing Their Friendly & Inquisitive Demeanour.

Endangered or Thriving?

Despite being nicknamed the gentle giants of the ocean, whale sharks are indeed in danger. They are currently listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The global population of whale sharks has declined significantly, with estimates suggesting a decrease of more than 50% over the last 75 years. Several factors contribute to the endangered status of whale sharks, such as fishing & bycatch, vessel strikes, habit loss and marine pollution.

Sources from the Deep

• DogTooth Media (2021) Labrador Kisses Friendly Whale Shark on Nose || Dogtooth Media, YouTube. Available at: https://youtu.be/ExjuLE1jkG0?si=-rAaw2rLBf3YQi3D (Accessed: 4 February 2025).
• Georgia Aquarium (2024) Georgia Aquarium. Available at: https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/resource-center/stories/celebrating-international-whale-shark-day-with-fun-facts/ (Accessed: 4 February 2025).
• Goertzel, L. (2022) Whale Shark, National Geographic Kids. Available at: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/facts/whale-sharks (Accessed: 4 February 2025).
• McConnell, B. (2020) 11 Interesting Whale Shark Facts Every Diver Should Know, Blog Padi. Available at: https://blog.padi.com/9-interesting-whale-shark-facts/ (Accessed: 4 February 2025).
• Whale Sharks Are Endangered! (2023) Galapagos Shark Diving. Available at: https://www.galapagossharkdiving.com/2023/04/04/endangered-giants-threats-facing-the-world-s-largest-fish/ (Accessed: 4 February 2025).