Meet the ocean's biggest fish
The whale shark is the world’s largest fish and one of the ocean’s most mysterious gentle giants. With their spotted skin and colossal mouths, they glide through warm waters in search of plankton feasts. Despite their size, they’re harmless to humans, and they're utterly fascinating.
From bizarre mating habits to epic migrations, click on to dive deep into the fascinating world of whale sharks.
The world’s largest fish
Whale sharks can grow over 40 feet (12 meters) in length and weigh up to 20 tons (20,000 kg), making them the largest fish on Earth. Unlike whales, they’re not mammals; they're cold-blooded, finned, and truly massive.
Gentle giants
Whale sharks are filter feeders, meaning they don't bite or chew. Instead, they swim with their mouths wide open, filtering tiny plankton, krill, and small fish from the water as they glide peacefully along.
Global travelers
Whale sharks are found in warm, tropical oceans around the globe, including the Indian Ocean, Pacific, and Atlantic. They prefer surface waters and are often seen near coastlines, reefs, and continental shelves.
Open ocean wanderers
Whale sharks are highly migratory and can travel thousands of miles. Some individuals have been tracked moving from the Philippines to India, crossing entire ocean basins.
Slow to reproduce
Whale sharks mature at around 25 to 30 years of age, and females don't breed often. This slow reproductive rate makes population recovery challenging.
Baby boom
A single female can carry up to 300 embryos at once, but they hatch at different times internally, a process called aplacental viviparity. The pups are born fully formed and swim off on their own.
Wide mouths
Their mouths can stretch over four feet (1.2 meters) wide and contain up to 3,000 tiny teeth, which they don't use for eating. They gulp in water, then push it out through their gills.
Gentle around divers
Whale sharks are often curious and calm around humans. Snorkelers and divers frequently swim near them, though touching or riding them is harmful and illegal in many places.
Protected worldwide
Whale sharks are protected under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).
Mystery travelers
No one knows exactly where whale sharks go to give birth. Despite satellite tracking, the birthing sites remain one of the biggest mysteries in marine science today.
No natural predators (mostly)
Adult whale sharks have few predators, though orcas and large sharks may pose a threat. Pups and juveniles, however, are more vulnerable to predation and environmental threats.
Built to heal
Whale sharks can recover from serious injuries and may even regenerate parts of their fins. Remarkably, their unique spot patterns can reappear over healed wounds, restoring their natural markings.
