The World's Largest Fish
Whale sharks can grow up to 40 feet long and weigh over 47,000 pounds.
Key Features
- Filter feeders: Eat plankton, krill, and small fish by filtering water through their massive mouths.
- Gentle giants: Slow-moving and docile, posing no threat to humans.
- Wide distribution: Found in warm tropical waters worldwide.
- Unique appearance: Light spots and stripes on a grey-blue body, huge mouth, and five large gill slits.
Conservation Status
Classified as Vulnerable, facing threats from overfishing, habitat loss, and fishing gear entanglement.
Interesting Facts
- Can live over 100 years.
- Slow breeders with few young at a time.
- Sometimes congregate in large groups when feeding.