Rhincodon typus

Whale Shark

8-12 meter
70-100+ jaar
Ernstig bedreigd
Over

Whale Shark

The whale shark is the largest fish in the ocean, reaching lengths of up to 12 metres or more. Despite their enormous size, these gentle giants feed exclusively on plankton and small fish, filtering vast quantities of water through their huge mouths.

Grootte

8-12 meter (tot 18m recorded)

Gewicht

11,000-20,000 kg

Levensduur

70-100+ jaar

Status

Ernstig bedreigd

Waar je ze kunt vinden

Beste duiklocaties

GalápagoseilandenMalediven (south Ari Atoll)Donsol, FilipijnenOslob, FilipijnenNingaloo Reef, AustraliëIsla Holbox, MexicoIsla Mujeres, MexicoUtila, HondurasGladden Spit, BelizeTofo Beach, MozambiqueRode Zee, EgypteMafia Island, TanzaniaThailand (koh Tao, Similan Islands)

Duiktips

Keep a respectful distance (3m minimum). Never touch or ride whale sharks. Swim alongside, not directly at them. Use reef-safe sunscreen as they feed near the surface.

Beste seizoen

June-September (Galápagos), varies by location

Leefgebied

Warm tropical and temperate oceans worldwide, often near the surface

Voeding

Plankton, fish eggs, small fish, and squid
Wist je dat?

Leuke weetjes

1

Whale sharks have over 3,000 tiny teeth, but they're filter feeders

2

Each whale shark has a unique pattern of spots like a fingerprint

3

They can live for over 100 years

4

Females can carry up to 300 embryos at different stages of development

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