Whale Sharks are one of the most fascinating marine species to learn about, and certainly one of the most extraordinary to see.
Thought to have outlasted the dinosaurs, relatively little is still known about Whale Sharks despite their vast size.
Whale Sharks can weigh as much as three elephants, approximately 20 tons! They are known to grow to 12 meters in length, with unconfirmed reports of individuals up to 18 meters in length.
Ben Phillips
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Did You Know?
Whale Sharks mouths are very wide. When fully open, they can stretch over a meter.
While filter feeders, they actually have 300 rows of tiny teeth that are used for feeding.
While filter feeders, they actually have 300 rows of tiny teeth that are used for feeding.
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Sebastian Pena Lambarri
Whale Sharks are found in tropical and sub-tropical waters -
Ben Phillips
Whale Sharks eat plankton, crustaceans and small fish -
Jeremy Bishop
Whale shark's often swim near the water's surface
Family variety
Whale Sharks (Rhincodon) are the only species in the family Rhincodontidae. They are the only family of Sharks to have only one member in their family, although they are closely related to leopard Sharks (also known as Zebra Sharks).
Behaviour
Whale Sharks are slow moving swimmers, but can travel vast distances in search of food. Increasingly, it is believed they time their arrival to certain locations around natural events, such as spawning cycles.
In general, they are solitary animals but are known to aggregate in certain areas. Despite their large size, they are curious and gentle in nature and pose no threat to humans. Swimming with Whale Sharks is possible in a number of locations around Asia, including the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.
In general, they are solitary animals but are known to aggregate in certain areas. Despite their large size, they are curious and gentle in nature and pose no threat to humans. Swimming with Whale Sharks is possible in a number of locations around Asia, including the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.
Reproduction
Whale Sharks have a fascinating reproductive cycle. While they give birth to live young, females first lay eggs. These eggs are then held inside the mother’s abdomen until they hatch, at which point she ‘gives birth’ to the live young.
Whale Sharks are thought to give birth to as many as 300 young, which is unusual for an animal of this size. Pups measure only about 45 centimeters at birth. Only around 10% are thought to make it to adulthood. Their childhood years last until they are around 25 years of age, while adults are thought to live for up to 150 years. As a result of their longevity, they have a long reproductive cycle.
Whale Sharks are thought to give birth to as many as 300 young, which is unusual for an animal of this size. Pups measure only about 45 centimeters at birth. Only around 10% are thought to make it to adulthood. Their childhood years last until they are around 25 years of age, while adults are thought to live for up to 150 years. As a result of their longevity, they have a long reproductive cycle.
Diet
Whale Sharks are huge, but what do they eat? They are filter feeders, opening their mouths wide to take in plankton. However it is not only plankton that whale sharks eat. Their diet also consists of shrimp, small fish such as anchovies or sardines, shrimp, krill, squid, jellyfish and even fish eggs. They can use suction to draw huge amounts of water through their gills to trap their food, one of a number of techniques they used to feed.
Defences
A Whale Shark’s principal defence is sheer size, although their unique skin patterns of spots and strips also act as a type of camouflage. They have little if any defences against human activities however, which has sadly led to a significant decline in numbers
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FACTFILE
SPECIES: 1
SIZE RANGE: 5-12 m
DISTRIBUTION:
Whale Sharks are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the globe..
HABITAT:
Whale Sharks are found in both coastal and oceanic waters. They are often seen near the surface, but known to dive to depths well below 1000 meters
THREATS:
Whale Sharks are classified as endangered. Numbers have reduced by as much as 63% in the last century. They are threatened by human activity and fishing.
Identification tips
IDENTIFICATION TIPS
Whale Sharks are easy to identify due to their sheer size and unique skin pattern. While they can and do dive to great depths, they are often found at or near the water’s surface.
If you spot a Whale Shark and get a photo, submit it to the Wildbook - a global database of whale shark sightings that scientists use to learn more about these incredible animals.
Cebu
Cebu is the most accessible island in the Visayas, and home to some wonderful scuba diving.
Diving Malapascua is a thrill for more advanced divers due to regular sightings of Thresher Sharks. Oslob, to the south of Cebu City is famous for whale sharks, while you can dive on beautiful coral reefs in Moalboal or Mactan Island.
This is a great area for island-hopping, combining well with Bohol and Negros Islands.
Southern Leyte
Southern Leyte may not be as famous as some of the Philippine's more celebrated diving spots, but don't let that fool you.
Leyte is the most easterly island of the Visayas region, and the island is also the least developed. It boasts exceptional scuba diving.
Currently, diving here is concentrated in Southern Leyte, which is gaining a reputation as one of the best places in the Philippines to see Whale Sharks.
Similan & Surin Islands
The Similan Islands in Thailand are the country's most famous diving destination, offering great visibility, stunning corals and prolific marine life.
Accessed primarily by liveaboard, the Similan Islands are in a strictly controlled marine park and are considered by many to be the crown jewels of Thailand’s diving. As well as the diving, they also offer picture perfect beaches and unspoilt habitats.
Other fascinating species...
Ghost Pipefish - Solenostomidae
With their incredible ability to mimic their surroundings and their tiny size, it is not surprising that these spectacular critters are seldom spotted by divers.
Porcupine Pufferfish - Diodontidae
With their large expressive eyes & often curious nature, Porcupine Pufferfish are regular favourites with divers.
Batfish - Ephippidae
