# Whale Shark (*Rhincodon typus*) > 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. - **Category:** Fish - **Conservation status (IUCN):** Endangered - **Range:** Warm tropical and subtropical seas around the world, often at coastal feeding hotspots. - **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/whale-shark/ - **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16 ## Scientific classification - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Chondrichthyes - **Order:** Orectolobiformes - **Family:** Rhincodontidae - **Genus:** Rhincodon ## Facts at a glance | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Scientific name | Rhincodon typus | | Diet | Filter feeder (plankton, small fish) | | Habitat | Warm open and coastal oceans | | Lifespan | Estimated 70–100 years | | Length | Up to about 18 m (59 ft) | | Weight | Up to roughly 19,000 kg (42,000 lb) | | Conservation status | Endangered (IUCN) | ## The largest fish in the ocean The whale shark is a true shark, not a whale, and the biggest fish alive today. Typical adults measure around 12 m, but the largest confirmed individuals approach 18 m and weigh up to roughly 19,000 kg. Its broad, flattened head and enormous mouth, which can stretch well over a metre wide, sit right at the front of the body. Each animal carries a unique pattern of pale spots and stripes on grey skin, allowing researchers to identify individuals like a fingerprint. ## Filter feeding on plankton Despite its size, the whale shark eats some of the smallest prey in the sea. It is a filter feeder, taking in plankton, fish eggs, krill, and small fish by opening its huge mouth as it swims or by hanging vertically to suck in dense patches of food. Water passes out through the gills while fine sieve-like pads trap the food. A feeding whale shark can filter thousands of litres of water an hour, and it has no need for the large teeth of a hunting shark. ## How it swims and moves Whale sharks are slow, deliberate swimmers, cruising at only about 5 km/h by sweeping the whole body from side to side. They are highly migratory, crossing entire ocean basins to reach seasonal feeding grounds where plankton blooms. Individuals dive to depths of over 1,000 m yet spend much time near the surface where food is richest. Their unhurried movement and surface feeding make them one of the easiest large sharks for divers to swim alongside. ## Range and gatherings Whale sharks live in warm open and coastal oceans around the tropics and subtropics, usually where surface temperatures stay above about 21 degrees Celsius. At certain times of year they gather in large numbers at predictable sites, such as off Western Australia, the Yucatan, and the Philippines, drawn by seasonal food. These aggregations are among the great wildlife spectacles of the sea. Outside such gatherings they tend to roam alone across vast stretches of ocean. ## Life cycle and lifespan Whale sharks are slow to mature, thought to take around 25 to 30 years to reach breeding age, and may live 70 to 100 years. Females give birth to live young, carrying hundreds of embryos that hatch from eggs inside the body and are born as small pups. Very few newborns are ever seen, and much of the species' early life remains a mystery to scientists. This slow, late reproduction makes the population very sensitive to losses. ## Why it is endangered The whale shark is listed as Endangered by the IUCN, with numbers falling over recent decades. It is threatened by fishing for its fins and meat, by ship strikes as it feeds near the surface, and by entanglement in nets. Its slow growth and late breeding mean populations recover only very slowly once reduced. Regulated tourism and international trade protection now play a growing part in its conservation. ## Frequently asked questions ### How big is a whale shark? Whale sharks typically reach around 12 m long, with the largest confirmed individuals approaching 18 m. They can weigh as much as roughly 19,000 kg, making them the largest fish in the world. ### Is a whale shark a whale or a shark? It is a shark, and therefore a fish, not a whale. It gets its name from its whale-like size and its filter-feeding habit, but like all sharks it breathes through gills and swims using its tail. ### Are whale sharks dangerous to humans? No, whale sharks are harmless to people. They are gentle filter-feeders that eat tiny plankton and small fish, and they let divers swim close by. Their teeth are tiny and play no part in feeding. ### What do whale sharks eat? Whale sharks are filter feeders that eat plankton, krill, fish eggs, and small fish. They open their huge mouths while swimming to strain food from the water through sieve-like pads in front of the gills. ### How long do whale sharks live? Whale sharks are estimated to live between 70 and 100 years. They grow slowly and may not reach breeding age until around 25 to 30 years old. ### Why are whale sharks endangered? Whale sharks are Endangered because of fishing for their fins and meat, ship strikes, and net entanglement. Their slow growth and late breeding mean populations recover very slowly once numbers fall. ## Sources - Pierce, S. J. & Norman, B. (2016). Rhincodon typus. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. - Compagno, L. J. V. (2001). Sharks of the World. FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. - [Froese, R. & Pauly, D. (eds.). FishBase — Rhincodon typus.](https://www.fishbase.se/) --- Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/whale-shark/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.