Search results
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.
Apr 2, 2024 · The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest of all fish. Several carpet sharks are notable for their striking characteristics. The whale shark is not only the largest shark but also by far the largest of all fish, averaging about 12 metres (39 feet) in length.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Whale Shark. Scientific Name: Rhincodon typus. Type: Fish. Diet: Carnivore. Group Name: School. Average Life Span In The Wild: 70 years. Size: 18 to 32.8 feet. Weight: 20.6 tons. Size relative...
- 2 min
Other articles from nationalgeographic.com
Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are the largest shark, and indeed largest of any fishes alive today. They feed on plankton and travel large distances to find enough food to sustain their huge size, and to reproduce. Whale sharks are found in all the tropical oceans of the world.
Whale sharks are highly migratory animals and are found through all tropical and warm temperate seas, apart from the Mediterranean. Despite their large size, whale sharks are filter feeders and feed on tiny prey such as plankton, small crustaceans, and schooling fish.
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.
