At first glance, and as its name suggests, one might mistake it for a cetacean. Yet, it’s a fish, the largest in existence! Despite its undeniable appeal to divers and the many study programs dedicated to it, the whale shark still reveals many mysteries. Dive into the fascinating world of this placid giant.
The largest specimens can reach nearly 20 meters in length. Although this size remains exceptional, most individuals seen measure less than 9 meters. The whale shark is the largest member of the shark family and cartilaginous fishes. Its distinctive silhouette makes it easy to identify: a massive, flattened head, a large mouth that can exceed 1.5 meters in width, a white belly, and a gray-blue back adorned with light spots. These unique patterns help specialists conduct global photographic inventories.
Although it feels soft to the touch, the skin of the whale shark is actually very rough, covered with small abrasive denticles that can cause real burns. In some areas, its epidermis reaches an impressive thickness of about 15 centimeters!
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