Whale Shark

33 Images

The whale shark, Rhincodon typus, is a slow moving filter feeding shark, the largest living fish species. The largest confirmed individual had a length of 12.65 metres (41.50 ft) and a weight of more than 21.5 tonnes (47,000 lb). The shark is found in tropical and warm oceans, lives in the open sea with a lifespan of about 70 years. Although whale sharks have very large mouths, they feed mainly, though not exclusively, on plankton, microscopic plants and animals.

I have registered this encounter of a previously unidentified whale shark at the excellent ECOCEAN Whale Shark Photo-identification Library website. Apparently it is very rare to spot such a small juvenile! This wee ones indentification number is now registered as ID-022.