Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)
Slow and immense, the whale shark moves with the stillness of an ocean current. Light plays across its skin like constellations in motion — a reminder that even the largest fish in the sea can travel with quiet grace.
Scientific Snapshot
From the Field
The story…
Scientific Name: Rhincodon typus
Common Names: Whale shark, domino shark
Average Size: Up to 12 meters (40 feet); some recorded over 18 meters
Habitat: Warm tropical and temperate oceans worldwide
Diet: Filter feeder — plankton, small fish, krill
Conservation Status: Endangered (IUCN Red List)
Range: Found in open ocean, near coastal feeding zones, and around coral reefs