Rhincodontidae (Whale Shark)
Rhincodon typus
0 to 30 ft
A spectacular animal; the whale shark is the largest fish in existence. Pale spots and bars are set against the darker background (grayish blue, reddish or even greenish) of the upper body. The underside is pale and lacks a pattern. Three prominent ridges run along the length of the sides. The mouth, located at the end of the snout, is specialized for filter feeding. The whale shark can reach 60 feet (18 m) in length. This species is found worldwide in temperate and tropical waters. Whale sharks are pelagic; but are often seen near or on the surface. The whale shark is usually seen alone but in some parts of the world they gather at certain times of the year for mating. They use their enormous mouths to strain plankton and small fish from the water. Whale sharks are completely harmless and non-aggressive.
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