Whale Shark

They're not whales, but the world's largest fish. These huge creatures can grow up to 39 feet long. But despite their size, whale sharks are often referred to as "gentle giants." Distribution. Whale sharks have a broad distribution in tropical and warm temperate seas, usually between latitudes 30°N and 35°S. They are known to inhabit both deep and shallow coastal waters and the lagoons of coral atolls and reefs.The whale shark 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. The whale shark holds many records for size in the animal kingdom, most notably being by far the largest living nonmammalian vertebrate. Whale sharks spend nearly eight hours a day gulping around 10,000 gallons of ocean water. At nearly 40 feet long, they seem like they could eat whatever they want. But they're really after plankton—microscopic plants and animals.

Mass: 41,000 lbs (Adult)

Length: 18 – 33 ft.

Scientific name: Rhincodon typus

Rank: Species