Whale Sharks are the gentle giants of our oceans. Here are some interesting facts about these incredible animals and some of the best places to swim or dive with them.
Here are the 5 Facts About Whale Sharks
1. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world.
The whale shark is the world’s largest fish and can grow up to a length of 12.65 meters (41.5 feet) and weigh as much as 21.5 metric tons (47,000 pounds). They have broad, flat heads, small eyes, and five large gill slits.
Their body is covered with distinctive pale yellow markings and dots on a grayish-brown background, making them easy to identify.
They are found in tropical and warm-temperate oceans worldwide and are considered a vulnerable species due to overfishing and accidental capture in fishing nets.
2. Whale sharks are not whales – they are fish.
The whale shark, the biggest fish in the sea, is actually a shark, not a whale or a mammal. They are named after their size and feeding behavior.
They are gentle creatures that feed on plankton and small fish and pose no real threat to humans despite their size.
These sharks are popular attractions for divers and snorkelers from all over the world who come to swim alongside them
3. They are found in warm waters in tropical and subtropical oceans around the world.
They love warm water because it helps them regulate their body temperature. As cold-blooded creatures, they rely on their environment to regulate their internal body temperature.
Warm water allows them to maintain their body heat and avoid potentially deadly drops in temperature.
Additionally, warm water stimulates the metabolism of whale sharks, allowing them to swim faster and hunt more efficiently. The warm waters around the equator and in tropical regions also provide rich feeding opportunities for whale sharks.
These waters are home to a wide variety of planktonic organisms and small fish, which are a staple of the whale shark diet.
Overall, warm water is essential for the survival and thriving of whale sharks, and they are often found in areas where it is readily available.
4. They have unique spot patterns that are used for individual identification.
They are known for their unique patterns that cover their large bodies. These patterns are composed of different shapes and color variations that are distinct from one individual to another.
The spots and stripes on their skin are mostly clustered in a checkerboard-like pattern, making them easy to identify. These patterns serve as a natural barcode to differentiate each whale shark, allowing researchers to track their movements and population numbers.
The patterns also help to camouflage the whale shark from potential predators as they blend in with the light filtering down from above.
Additionally, the whale shark’s patterns may serve as a form of social signaling, helping individuals recognize each other and potentially even communicate with others.
The study of these patterns plays a significant role in whale shark conservation efforts as they allow us to track the movements of this endangered species and identify areas that need to be protected.
5. They can live up to 100 years.
They have a lifespan of up to 70-100 years. Though age estimation is challenging, scientists use various techniques to estimate age, including genetics, size, and visual observations. By studying samples of tissues, researchers can determine the rate of growth and age-related changes in a shark’s body.
The whale shark can reach maturity at around 25 years of age, growing up to 40 feet in length. Their long lifespan is threatened by habitat destruction, bycatch in fisheries, and the impacts of climate change.
Top Places To Swim and Dive with Whale Sharks
Even though there are many places to swim amongst these giants, here are some of our favorite places:
- Tofo, Mozambique – Tofo is a small coastal town located in the Inhambane Province of Mozambique, on the southeastern coast of Africa. Here is a list of operators.
- Zanzibar – is a semi-autonomous archipelago off the east coast of Tanzania in East Africa. It consists of two large islands, Unguja and Pemba, as well as several smaller islands. Here is a list our operators.
- Sodwana Bay, South Africa – This is a small village located in the Kwazulu Natal province of South Africa. It is situated on the eastern coast and overlooks the Indian Ocean. Here is a list of operators.
