Skip navigation
Go to home page > Species > Whale shark

Whale shark

Whale shark
© Simon Pierce

Common name:

Whale shark

Scientific name:

Rhincodon typus

Spanish name:

Tiburón ballena

Conservation status:

Endangered

EX EW CR EN VU NT LC

Average lifespan:

Unknown

Average size:

10 – 12 metres

Maximum size:

18 metres

Average weight:

15 tonnes

Maximum weight:

30 tonnes

Overview

Whale sharks are the largest species of shark and the largest fish alive today. They have a circum-global distribution, occurring in all warm and temperate seas other than the Mediterranean, and are a migratory species. At a number of coastal locations, predictable aggregations of whale sharks occur at certain times of year. These are often referred to as ‘whale shark seasons’ and are normally associated with a local burst in productivity such as a coral or fish spawning event.

Whale sharks are primarily planktivores but they will also eat small fish from time to time. They are regularly observed swimming close to the surface with their mouth open in a feeding behaviour known as ram-filtration which channels plankton-filled water into their mouth. Whale sharks do possess teeth, although they are not used as part of feeding. Teeth measure up to 3mm and individuals may possess in excess of 3,000 teeth at any one time.

Whale sharks in Galapagos

How you can help

Please help us protect these majestic creatures by donating today or by adopting a whale shark.

Read more about whale sharks...

14th Nov 2023
Wildlife facts

Meet the six Galapagos species you can adopt with GCT

One of the ways we encourage people to support the wildlife of Galapagos is through our species adoptions, which help fund several projects across the Archipelago.
Read more
Galapagos shark
11th May 2023
Ocean protection Overfishing

Sharks: Our ocean’s superheroes, not villains

While sharks may appear scary to some, the majority of shark species pose no threat to humans, and we ignore their vital role in our marine ecosystems at our peril.
Read more
Sofia Green tagging a whale shark while free-diving
14th Oct 2022
Ocean protection

Tagging a new constellation of whale sharks

A first-hand account of the latest Galapagos Whale Shark Project expedition by Sofía Green.
Read more
Scalloped hammerhead sharks in the Galapagos Marine Reserve
1st Sep 2022
Ocean protection Overfishing

Galapagos marine reserve expansion brings hope - but new management challenges

Highly productive waters support incredible marine biodiversity in Galapagos. The Galapagos marine reserve expansion brings hope for greater protection of this diversity but also new management challenges.
Read more

Get the latest news from Galapagos

Join our mailing list to receive our monthly email newsletter, bringing you the latest news on Galapagos and our work to protect the Islands.

Hidden
Share This Page