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.

May 15, 2025 · 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 .

Whale sharks are found in open tropical waters above 21ºc and have two distinct subpopulations found in the Atlantic ocean, and the Indo-Pacific. These benign behemoths spend their lives on the move, migrating thousands of miles in an endless search for food.

The whale shark is the largest fish in the world and the largest fish known to have lived on this planet. Because of its size and cartilaginous skeleton, it does not fossilize well and in life it is very difficult to weigh accurately.

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.

Whale sharks get their name from their immense size, which is reminiscent of large whale species. The name also comes from their foraging behavior, filter feeding, which is also used by baleen whales.

Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the world and possibly the biggest to have ever existed. They can be found in warm tropical waters around the globe and cruise along the ocean surface to find food. The biggest whale shark on record was 19 metres long and weighed more than 15 tonnes.

Basic facts about Whale shark: lifespan, distribution and habitat map, lifestyle and social behavior, mating habits, diet and nutrition, population size and status.

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.

Learn about the size, diet, population, habitat, behavior and other interesting facts about whale sharks.