Top 5 facts about whale sharks

1. Whale sharks are not whales, they are sharks

Although these huge sea creatures are called ‘whale sharks’, they are not actually whales, but filter-feeding sharks, often referred to as "gentle giants". They are also the world’s largest fish, usually growing to 12 metres in length, although a fully-grown whale shark can reach up to an incredible 20 metres long and weigh 20 tonnes. 

2. Eating is laborious work

Whale sharks are filter feeders and can neither bite nor chew. They can process more than 6,000 litres of water an hour through their gills. Although its mouth can stretch to four feet wide, a whale shark’s teeth are so tiny that they can only eat small shrimp, fish and plankton by using their gill rakers as a suction filter.

3. They can be very old

It's thought that less than 10% of whale sharks born survive to adulthood, but those that do may live to 150.

4. They’re slow swimmers and migrate a long way

Whale sharks can be found in warm temperature seas around the world, except the Mediterranean Sea. They can migrate thousands of miles to different feeding grounds, but only at a slow swimming speed of on average 3mph.

5. Along with other sharks, they’re under threat

Many sharks are accidentally caught in fishing gear, as well as caught deliberately for their fins, which are a delicacy in Asia.

Their ocean home is also in danger. From climate change warming the water - affecting both habitats, prey and shark population shifts - to plastic pollution, which could cause entanglement or be ingested, especially by filter feeders.