With a lifespan of up to 70–100 years, the Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) is among the longest-lived filter feeder species. It inhabits oceans habitats in Worldwide.
Physical Characteristics & Habitat
Size & Speed
| Metric | Whale Shark | Filter Feeder Species Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 1.5K kg | 100.8K kg | ↓ 99% |
| Height | 1.8K cm | — | — |
| Top Speed | 70 km/h | 54.5 km/h | ↑ 28% |
| Avg Speed | 70 km/h | — | — |
Habitat & Distribution
The Whale Shark inhabits oceans habitats. It can be found in Worldwide.
Typical coloring: Gray, White.
Diet & Predators
Behavior & Reproduction
Social Structure
The Whale Shark is a solitary species belonging to the Rhincodontidae family.
Reproduction
Conservation & Comparison
IUCN Conservation Status
EN The Whale Shark is classified as Endangered. There are 31 species with the same status in our database.
Species Comparison
Among 2 filter feeder species, the Whale Shark’s weight of Up to 1500 kg is significantly lower than the group median of 100.8K kg.
Weight rank: #3 of 31 Endangered species.
| # | Species | Weight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue Whale | Up to 200 tons | EN |
| 2 | Asian Elephant | 2000–5000 kg | EN |
| 3 | Whale Shark | Up to 1500 kg | EN |
| 4 | Grevy's Zebra | 350–450 kg | EN |
| 5 | Baird's Tapir | 150–400 kg | EN |
Related Species
How much does a Whale Shark weigh?
A Whale Shark typically weighs Up to 1500 kg, which is exceptionally low compared to the median of 100.8K kg among filter feeder species.
What is the conservation status of the Whale Shark?
The Whale Shark is classified as “Endangered”. There are 31 species with the same status in our database.
Where does the Whale Shark live?
The Whale Shark is found in Worldwide, in oceans habitats.
How does the Whale Shark reproduce?
The Whale Shark has a gestation period of 100–150 days and typically produces 1 offspring per birth.
Data Sources: IUCN, WWF, National Geographic, Smithsonian Institution.
Last Updated: April 10, 2026