What 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, reaching lengths of 40-60 feet (12-18 meters). Despite its name, it's a shark, not a whale - a cold-blooded fish that breathes through gills. Whale sharks are gentle filter feeders that eat plankton and small fish, posing no danger to humans. They're found in warm tropical and temperate oceans worldwide.
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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
A whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the world’s largest living fish species, capable of reaching lengths of 40-60 feet (12-18 meters) and weighing up to 41,000 pounds. Despite its name, a whale shark is not a whale - it’s a true shark belonging to the class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish). The name comes from its massive, whale-like size and its gentle filter-feeding behavior similar to baleen whales.
Whale Shark Quick Facts
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhincodon typus |
| Class | Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish) |
| Order | Orectolobiformes (carpet sharks) |
| Maximum Length | 62 ft (18.8 m) confirmed |
| Maximum Weight | 41,000 lbs (18,600 kg) |
| Lifespan | 70-100+ years |
| Conservation Status | Endangered (IUCN) |
Physical Characteristics
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Coloration | Gray-blue with white spots and stripes |
| Pattern | Unique to each individual (like fingerprints) |
| Skin Thickness | Up to 4 inches (10 cm) - thickest of any animal |
| Mouth Width | Up to 5 feet (1.5 m) |
| Teeth | 3,000+ tiny teeth (not used for feeding) |
| Gill Slits | 5 large pairs |
| Fins | 2 dorsal fins, large pectoral fins |
Whale Shark vs. True Whales
| Characteristic | Whale Shark | Whales |
|---|---|---|
| Classification | Fish | Mammals |
| Breathing | Gills | Lungs (blowholes) |
| Body Temperature | Cold-blooded | Warm-blooded |
| Skeleton | Cartilage | Bone |
| Reproduction | Eggs/ovoviviparous | Live birth, nursing |
| Tail Orientation | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Tail Movement | Side-to-side | Up-and-down |
Size Comparison
| Animal | Maximum Length | Maximum Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Whale Shark | 62 ft (18.8 m) | 41,000 lbs |
| Basking Shark | 40 ft (12 m) | 10,000 lbs |
| Great White Shark | 20 ft (6 m) | 5,000 lbs |
| Blue Whale | 110 ft (33.5 m) | 400,000 lbs |
| Orca | 26 ft (8 m) | 12,000 lbs |
Habitat and Distribution
Whale sharks are found in warm waters worldwide:
| Region | Notable Locations | Best Season |
|---|---|---|
| Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico | Isla Holbox, Mexico; Belize | May-September |
| Southeast Asia | Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia | Year-round |
| Australia | Ningaloo Reef | March-July |
| East Africa | Mozambique, Tanzania | October-March |
| Indian Ocean | Maldives, Seychelles | Year-round |
| Pacific | Galapagos Islands | June-November |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a whale shark a whale or a shark?
A whale shark is definitely a shark, not a whale. It belongs to the class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish) and has all shark characteristics: gills, cartilage skeleton, and cold-blooded metabolism. The name “whale shark” refers only to its enormous size and filter-feeding behavior. Learn more about whether whale sharks are whales.
Are whale sharks dangerous to humans?
No, whale sharks are completely harmless to humans. Despite being sharks, they are gentle filter feeders with no interest in biting. Their teeth are tiny and not used for feeding. Divers regularly swim alongside whale sharks safely, though touching them is discouraged to avoid damaging their sensitive skin.
What do whale sharks eat?
Whale sharks are filter feeders that eat plankton, fish eggs, krill, and small fish. They filter up to 1,500 gallons of water per hour through specialized gill rakers. Despite their enormous mouths (5 feet wide), their esophagus is only about 2 inches in diameter. Learn more about what whale sharks eat.
How long do whale sharks live?
Whale sharks are believed to live 70-100+ years, though exact lifespans are difficult to determine. Studies using carbon dating of vertebrae suggest they may live even longer than previously thought. They reach sexual maturity around 25-30 years of age.
Why are whale sharks endangered?
Whale sharks face multiple threats:
- Fishing (targeted and bycatch)
- Boat strikes
- Climate change affecting prey distribution
- Habitat degradation
- Tourism pressure in aggregation areas
Reproduction and Life Cycle
| Life Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Reproduction | Ovoviviparous (eggs hatch inside mother) |
| Litter Size | Up to 300 pups per litter |
| Pup Size at Birth | 16-24 inches (40-60 cm) |
| Sexual Maturity | 25-30 years |
| Mating | Rarely observed; poorly understood |
Unique Identification
Each whale shark has a unique pattern of spots and stripes:
| Feature | Use |
|---|---|
| Spot Pattern | Individual identification (like fingerprints) |
| Photo-ID Programs | Wildbook, ECOCEAN databases |
| Research Value | Track migration, population estimates |
| Citizen Science | Tourists can submit photos for matching |
Conservation Efforts
| Initiative | Description |
|---|---|
| CITES Appendix II | International trade regulated |
| Protected Areas | Marine sanctuaries in key habitats |
| Fishing Bans | Illegal to catch in many countries |
| Tourism Guidelines | Responsible whale shark tourism codes |
| Research Programs | Satellite tagging, photo-ID monitoring |
Population Estimates
| Population | Status |
|---|---|
| Global Population | Unknown (estimated 100,000-200,000) |
| Population Trend | Decreasing |
| Indo-Pacific | Declined 50-60% over 75 years |
| Atlantic | Insufficient data |
For more information, explore whether whale sharks are whales and what is the biggest whale in the world.
Related Questions
Sources & References
Last verified: 2026-02-03
People Also Ask
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).
Is A Whale Shark A Whale??
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 a fish. Despite its massive size (up to 40+ feet) and whale-like name, the whale shark is the world's largest fish species. Unlike whales, which are mammals that breathe air and nurse their young, whale sharks breathe through gills and are cold-blooded.
What Does The Whale Shark Eat??
They primarily eat plankton, fish eggs, small fish.
What Is The Biggest Whale In The World??
The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is the biggest whale and the largest animal ever to exist on Earth. Blue whales can reach lengths of 100+ feet (30+ meters) and weigh up to 200 tons (400,000 pounds). They're larger than any dinosaur that ever lived and their hearts alone are the size of a small car.
Test Your Knowledge: Whale Shark
Population: declining, listed as Endangered