Whale shark - Wikipedia
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a slow-moving, filter-feeding carpet shark and the largest known extant fish species. The largest confirmed individual had a length of 18.8 m (61.7 ft). [8] The whale shark holds many records for size in the animal kingdom, most notably being by far the most massive living non-cetacean animal.
Wildlife Fact Sheets: Whale Shark - Ocean Conservancy
Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world and can grow up to 40 feet long and weigh up to 20,000 pounds. That is the height of two giraffes stacked on top of each other and the weight of two elephants combined. Their mouths are three feet wide and hold more than 350 rows of teeth.
Whale Shark - Oceana
Growing up to 40 feet long, or the size of a school bus, the whale shark is the largest fish in the world. These huge sharks are characterized by their broad and flattened heads as well as the …
Whale shark | Size, Diet, & Facts | Britannica
Dec 3, 2024 · whale shark, (Rhincodon typus), gigantic but harmless shark (family Rhincodontidae) that is the largest living fish. Whale sharks are found in marine environments worldwide but mainly in tropical oceans. They make up the only species of the genus Rhincodon and are classified within the order Orectolobiformes, a group containing the carpet sharks.
Whale Shark | Species | WWF - World Wildlife Fund
Whale sharks are found in all the tropical oceans of the world. Their white spotted colouration makes these gentle giants easy to distinguish, and popular with snorkelers and divers at sites where they aggregate off the coast. The maximum size of whale sharks is not known, but could be as large as 60 feet.
Whale shark - National Geographic Kids
Whale sharks spend nearly eight hours a day gulping around 10,000 gallons of ocean water. At nearly 40 feet long, they seem like they could eat whatever they want. But they’re really after...
Whale Shark - National Geographic
Get your arms around the largest fish in the sea—whale sharks weigh in at up to 60 tons. Find out what tiny creatures keep these gentle giants alive.
Species Spotlight: Whale Sharks - Oceana
Aug 12, 2024 · Whale sharks are found in tropical and warm-temperate oceans worldwide, often in coastal areas but also in the open ocean. They spend most of their time in the epipelagic …
Meet the Whale Shark: The Biggest Fish in the World
Jan 8, 2024 · The whale shark is one of the ocean's most majestic and mysterious creatures. These gentle giants, with their awe-inspiring size and peaceful demeanor, not only fascinate onlookers, they also play a pivotal role in the marine ecosystem.
The Whale Shark: A Whale of a Fish - Bureau of Ocean Energy …
Jul 19, 2024 · Whale sharks play a crucial role in their ecosystem by maintaining a healthy balance in the marine environment. By consuming large quantities of plankton, small fish, and other microorganisms, whale sharks limit these species’ populations, helping prevent conditions that lead to a depletion of oxygen in the water.
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