Species · GBIF taxon 2417522
Whale Shark
Rhincodon typusAlso known as Domino Shark, Gentle Giant
Whale sharks glide through warm oceans, filtering plankton, krill, and small fish through their massive, cavernous mouths. Their flat heads and striking patterns of pale spots and stripes, unique to each individual, act as perfect camouflage in sunlit waters. These gentle giants travel thousands of miles across open seas, often gathering in seasonal feeding hotspots near continental shelves.
Filter FeederMarineGiant
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Plankton
- Krill
- Fish Eggs
Predators
- Killer Whale
- Great White Shark
- Tiger Shark
ThreatsVessel strikes, fisheries bycatch, marine pollution, and unsustainable tourism
HabitatsWarm tropical and warm-temperate oceans, both coastal and pelagic
Life span80 to 130 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderOrectolobiformes
- FamilyRhincodontidae
- GenusRhincodon
- SpeciesRhincodon typus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Extremely large size poses a physical hazard; maintain a safe distance from the powerful tail.
- What to notice
- Look for a massive, flat-headed shark with a checkerboard pattern of white spots and pale stripes.
- Support conservation
- Observe quietly from a distance, never block their path, and only book tours with certified, eco-friendly operators.
Responsible observation
- Keep your distance: Stay at least three to four meters away to avoid disturbing their natural swimming path.
- Avoid flash photography: Bright flashes can startle these sensitive animals and disrupt their feeding behavior.
- Do not touch: Touching can scrape off their protective mucous layer and introduce harmful bacteria.
Fellow Filter Feeder rossbeane / CC BY-SA 2.0 · CC BY-SA 2.0
Frequent Companion (c) Stevelaycock21, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Symbiont NOAA CCMA Biogeography Team / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative (c) Fábio Olmos, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Adam / CC BY 2.0 · CC BY 2.0
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