Species Spotlight: Whale Sharks  | Oceana
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August 12, 2024

Species Spotlight: Whale Sharks 

 

The epitome of nature’s gentle giants, whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean. With their colossal size, unique physical characteristics, and serene demeanor, these majestic creatures captivate the hearts of marine enthusiasts and casual observers alike.  

A Brief Introduction

Whale sharks are not whales, instead they belong to the shark family. But they aren’t like other sharks either! Growing up to 65 feet long (that’s longer than a school bus), these sharks are renowned for their enormous size, distinctive flat heads, and wide mouths.   

But these gentle giants pose no threat to humans as they are filter-feeders, feeding primarily on plankton, small fish, and other tiny organisms.  

While their most striking feature is their size, whale sharks have an appearance that is equally captivating. White spots dot their back – the pattern of which is unique to each shark, like a fingerprint!  

Habitat and Distribution

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 zone (or sunlight zone), but also have been known to dive to at least 1,928 meters (about 1.2 miles) in depth! 

Most sightings of these sharks occur at a small number of known coastal feeding grounds, where they aggregate at the surface to feed on seasonal specialties.  

Conservation and Threats

Unfortunately, these incredible animals are at risk, listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They face a variety of threats such as habitat destruction, climate change, and most notably, human activity.  

Whale sharks have been known to be fished by small-scale and large-scale fisheries around the world. While some fishers specifically target the species, others catch them incidentally, called “bycatch.” They also are at risk of boat strikes. In areas where shipping lanes exist close to feeding grounds, propeller injuries are commonly recorded during monitoring programs.  

Conservation efforts are crucial to protect these gentle giants. Marine protected areas, responsible tourism, and research initiatives are some of the steps being taken to ensure the survival of whale sharks.  

GET INVOLVED

Whale sharks are awe-inspiring creatures that offer a unique glimpse into the wonders of the ocean, but they need our help.  

Learn more about whale sharks by visiting the Marine Life Encyclopedia. 

Visit the Oceana online store to symbolically adopt a whale shark