{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "whale-shark",
  "name": "Whale Shark",
  "scientificName": "Rhincodon typus",
  "category": "Fish",
  "summary": "The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish in the world, a gentle filter-feeder that swims slowly through warm open and coastal oceans. It can reach around 12 m long, and sometimes up to 18 m, weighing as much as 19,000 kg, yet it feeds almost entirely on tiny plankton and small fish. Cruising at only about 5 km/h, it may live 70 to 100 years. The species is listed as Endangered.",
  "conservationStatus": "Endangered",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Chondrichthyes",
    "order": "Orectolobiformes",
    "family": "Rhincodontidae",
    "genus": "Rhincodon"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 19000,
    "lengthM": 12,
    "topSpeedKmh": 5,
    "lifespanYears": 80
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Rhincodon typus"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Filter feeder (plankton, small fish)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Warm open and coastal oceans"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "Estimated 70–100 years"
    },
    {
      "label": "Length",
      "value": "Up to about 18 m (59 ft)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "Up to roughly 19,000 kg (42,000 lb)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Endangered (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Warm tropical and subtropical seas around the world, often at coastal feeding hotspots.",
    "continents": [
      "Oceans"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "Pierce, S. J. & Norman, B. (2016). Rhincodon typus. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.",
      "url": null
    },
    {
      "citation": "Compagno, L. J. V. (2001). Sharks of the World. FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes.",
      "url": null
    },
    {
      "citation": "Froese, R. & Pauly, D. (eds.). FishBase — Rhincodon typus.",
      "url": "https://www.fishbase.se/"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/whale-shark/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/whale-shark/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}