Whale Shark

Rhincodon typus

EN Filter Feeder Oceans
Up to 1500 kg
Weight
70–100 yrs
Lifespan
70 km/h
Top Speed
Worldwide
Found In

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.

Size, Speed & Lifespan

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
Lifespan 85 yrs 82.5 yrs ↑ 3%
Weight (kg)1.5Kavg 100.8KSpeed (km/h)70avg 54.5Lifespan (yrs)85avg 82.5

Endemic to Worldwide

Habitat: Oceans
Found In: Worldwide
Coloration: Gray, White

Behavior

Social Structure

Recorded as Solitary.

Reproduction & Lifespan

Gestation Period: 100–150 days
Offspring per Birth: 1
Lifespan: 70–100 years

An Endangered Species

EN Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List — one of 31 species in this database with the same status.

Weight Rank Among Endangered Species

Ranked #3 of 31 by typical adult weight.

# 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
6 Okapi 200–350 kg EN

Similar Filter feeder species