Rhincodon typus

Whale Shark

8-12 meter
70-100+ år
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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.

Storlek

8-12 meter (upp till 18m recorded)

Vikt

11,000-20,000 kg

Livslängd

70-100+ år

Status

Hotad

Var du hittar dem

Bästa dykplatser

GalápagosöarnaMaldiverna (south Ari Atoll)Donsol, FilippinernaOslob, FilippinernaNingaloo Reef, AustralienIsla Holbox, MexikoIsla Mujeres, MexikoUtila, HondurasGladden Spit, BelizeTofo Beach, MoçambiqueRöda havet, EgyptenMafia Island, TanzaniaThailand (koh Tao, Similan Islands)

Dyktips

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.

Bästa säsong

June-September (Galápagos), varies by location

Livsmiljö

Warm tropical and temperate oceans worldwide, often near the surface

Föda

Plankton, fish eggs, small fish, and squid
Visste du?

Roliga fakta

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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