How long is a whale shark?
Quick Answer
Whale sharks are the largest fish species in the world, reaching up to 60 feet (18 meters) in length. Despite having 'whale' in their name, they are fish, not mammals.'s largest fish species.
Key Facts
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Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Marine fish |
| Family | Rhincodontidae |
| Habitat | Oceans worldwide |
| Conservation | Protected in most countries |
| Research Status | Ongoing scientific study |
The Short Answer
Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) typically measure 18-33 feet (5.5-10 meters) in length as adults, though exceptional individuals can grow much larger. The largest confirmed whale shark measured 61.7 feet (18.8 meters). Despite their massive size, whale sharks are gentle filter feeders and pose no threat to humans.
Whale Shark Size Statistics
Average Size by Age and Sex
| Category | Length Range | Weight Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn pups | 21-25 in (53-64 cm) | 11-18 lbs (5-8 kg) | Born fully formed |
| Juveniles (1-5 years) | 6-15 ft (1.8-4.6m) | 500-2,000 lbs | Rapid growth phase |
| Sub-adults (5-15 years) | 15-25 ft (4.6-7.6m) | 2,000-8,000 lbs | Approaching maturity |
| Adult females | 26-46 ft (8-14m) | 15,000-40,000 lbs | Larger than males |
| Adult males | 20-30 ft (6-9m) | 10,000-20,000 lbs | Mature at smaller size |
| Maximum recorded | 61.7 ft (18.8m) | ~47,000 lbs (est.) | Exceptional specimen |
Comparison with Other Large Marine Animals
| Species | Maximum Length | Maximum Weight | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whale Shark | 61.7 ft (18.8m) | 47,000 lbs | Fish (shark) |
| Basking Shark | 40 ft (12.2m) | 11,000 lbs | Fish (shark) |
| Great White Shark | 20 ft (6.1m) | 5,000 lbs | Fish (shark) |
| Giant Manta Ray | 29 ft (8.8m) wingspan | 6,600 lbs | Fish (ray) |
| Blue Whale | 100 ft (large sizes) | 400,000 lbs | Mammal |
| Orca | 32 ft (9.8m) | 12,000 lbs | Mammal |
According to research published in Marine Biology, whale sharks hold the record as the largest living fish species, though they’re dwarfed by true whales which are mammals.
Growth Rate and Development
Whale sharks grow relatively slowly compared to many fish species, reaching maturity over decades:
Growth Timeline
| Age | Estimated Length | Growth Rate | Life Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | 21-25 in (53-64 cm) | — | Neonate |
| 1 year | 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5m) | 3+ ft/year | Juvenile |
| 5 years | 12-15 ft (3.7-4.6m) | 2 ft/year | Juvenile |
| 10 years | 18-22 ft (5.5-6.7m) | 1 ft/year | Sub-adult |
| 25 years | 26-30 ft (8-9m) | 0.5 ft/year | Adult (males mature) |
| 30+ years | 30-40+ ft (9-12m+) | Minimal | Adult (females mature) |
Research from the Georgia Aquarium indicates that whale sharks may continue growing slowly throughout their lives, potentially reaching ages of 100-150 years based on vertebral ring analysis.
Regional Size Variations
Whale shark sizes vary by geographic location, likely reflecting differences in food availability and population genetics:
| Location | Average Adult Size | Notable Observations |
|---|---|---|
| Ningaloo Reef, Australia | 20-26 ft (6-8m) | Predominantly young males |
| Donsol, Philippines | 18-26 ft (5.5-8m) | Mixed population |
| Isla Holbox, Mexico | 20-33 ft (6-10m) | Larger females common |
| Maldives | 15-23 ft (4.6-7m) | Younger population |
| Galapagos Islands | 33-46 ft (10-14m) | Large pregnant females |
| Tanzania | 23-33 ft (7-10m) | Diverse age groups |
The Galapagos Islands host some of the largest whale sharks ever observed, with researchers documenting pregnant females exceeding 40 feet regularly.
How Scientists Measure Whale Sharks
Measuring whale sharks in the wild presents unique challenges. Scientists employ several techniques:
- Laser photogrammetry: Parallel lasers of known distance projected onto the shark
- Stereo-video cameras: Dual cameras calculate size from video footage
- Photo-ID measurements: Comparing sharks to reference objects (divers, boats)
- Satellite tag data: Movement patterns correlated with size estimates
- Aquarium measurements: Precise measurements of captive specimens
The Georgia Aquarium, which houses whale sharks, provides the most accurate growth data through regular measurements of their resident animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the biggest whale shark ever recorded?
The largest whale shark ever reliably measured was 61.7 feet (18.8 meters) long, documented near Taiwan in 2002. Unconfirmed reports suggest whale sharks up to 75 feet (23m) may exist, but these lack scientific verification. Most scientists believe 60 feet represents the practical maximum size.
Are whale sharks bigger than great white sharks?
Yes, whale sharks are significantly larger than great white sharks. The average adult whale shark (25-30 feet) is larger than the maximum recorded great white (20 feet). Whale sharks can be 3-4 times heavier than great whites. However, whale sharks are filter feeders while great whites are apex predators.
How long are the whale sharks at Georgia Aquarium?
The Georgia Aquarium whale sharks range from approximately 18-25 feet (5.5-7.6 meters). The aquarium houses younger whale sharks that continue growing. Their largest whale shark, Trixie, measured over 23 feet before her passing in 2020.
Do whale sharks ever stop growing?
Whale sharks likely grow throughout their entire lives, though growth slows dramatically with age. After reaching about 30 feet, annual growth may be less than 1-2 inches. This pattern of indeterminate growth is common in sharks and many fish species, unlike mammals which reach a fixed adult size.
How do whale sharks compare in size to actual whales?
Whale sharks are the largest fish but are much smaller than large whale species. A maximum-size whale shark (62 feet) is smaller than an average adult blue whale (82 feet) and weighs about 10% as much. The name “whale shark” refers to their whale-like size among fish, not their classification—they are definitely sharks, not whales.
Why Whale Sharks Grow So Large
Whale sharks evolved their massive size as an adaptation to filter-feeding. Larger body size provides several advantages:
- Thermal inertia: Large bodies retain heat better for deep diving
- Predator avoidance: Few predators can threaten an adult whale shark
- Feeding efficiency: Larger mouths filter more water per unit time
- Migration capability: Size enables long oceanic journeys to follow food
The IUCN notes that whale shark gigantism evolved independently from whale gigantism—a remarkable example of convergent evolution between fish and mammals occupying similar ecological niches.
Conservation Implications
Understanding whale shark size is crucial for conservation efforts. The species is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with population declines of 50%+ over three generations.
| Threat | Size-Related Impact |
|---|---|
| Fishing nets | Larger individuals more prone to entanglement |
| Boat strikes | Big sharks harder to avoid, more visible |
| Finning | Large fins have higher black-market value |
| Tourism | Size attracts unregulated tourism pressure |
For more on these gentle giants, explore our guides on whale shark size comparisons and their classification.
Related Questions
Sources & References
Last verified: 2026-02-02
People Also Ask
what do whale sharks eat?
Whale sharks are filter feeders that eat plankton, fish eggs, krill, small fish, and squid. Despite being the largest fish in the ocean, they feed exclusively on tiny organisms.
Are Whale Sharks Whales Or Sharks??
Whale sharks are the largest fish species in the world, reaching up to 60 feet (18 meters) in length. Despite having 'whale' in their name, they are fish, not mammals.'whale shark' refers to their whale-like size, not their classification.
How Big Are Whale Sharks??
Whale sharks can reach 12m (40 ft) and weigh up to 20 tons, making them the largest fish in the world. The largest confirmed specimen was 18.8m (62 ft).
How Long Is A Whale??
Whale lengths vary dramatically by species, ranging from 8.5 feet (2.6m) for the dwarf sperm whale to 100 feet (large sizes) for the blue whale—the largest animal ever to exist on Earth.
Test Your Knowledge: Whale Shark
Their primary diet consists of plankton, krill, fish eggs, and small fish