Interestingly, this massive size difference is mirrored in their ecological adaptations as well. This makes whale sharks not only the giants of their order but also genetically distinct within their phylogeny. The largest tawny nurse shark, which is the whale shark's closest relative, measures around 4 meters in maximum size less than a quarter of the length of the largest whale sharks. Whale sharks are part of the shark order Orectolobiformes, also known as carpet sharks. Size Compared to Closest Relatives (Orectolobiformes) Let’s explore the size of whale sharks compared to other marine animals, including their closest relatives and other marine giants like blue whales. Whale Shark Size Relative to Other Sharks and Marine Animals This suggests that the largest whale sharks are generally females. Males tend to reach an average adult whale shark size of 8.0-9.0 meters, while females continue to grow to an average size of 12-14.5 meters. A recent study proposed that male and female whale sharks may have significantly different growth trajectories. Maturation in whale sharks is thought to occur at approximately 9 meters in length. Relatively few studies examine substantial populations of adult whale sharks of both sexes. The majority of research on this species is conducted at coastal feeding sites, where juvenile males typically dominate in a 3:1 ratio. A more practical question might be, "How large is the average adult whale shark?" Surprisingly, this question is subject to a bias unique to whale sharks. Maximum sizes provide only one perspective on whale shark size. While the fossil record is incomplete, it appears that the whale shark holds the all-time record for size. The extinct Jurassic bony fish, Leedsichthys problematicus, is another contender, but its five known fossil specimens were estimated to be between 8.0 and 16.5 meters in total length. ![]() The famous Miocene mega-predatory shark, Otodus megalodon, may seem comparable in size, but its maximum size range is estimated to be between 14.2 and 15.3 meters. However, comparing whale shark size to extinct species is challenging due to the poor fossilization characteristics of sharks. ![]() Whale sharks are not only the largest extant fish species, but they might also be the largest fish to have ever existed. Other records of whale shark size also hover around the 18-meter mark, with some less reliable reports claiming whale sharks to be as much as 20 meters long. The largest reliable record of a whale shark is 18.8 meters (62 ft) in total length. Let's dive in and see how these giants measure up! How Big is a Whale Shark? Understanding Whale Shark Sizeĭetermining the exact size of whale sharks is no simple task, but the question "how big is a whale shark?" has fascinated researchers and marine enthusiasts alike. Here we'll explore the size of whale sharks relative to other marine animals, the average size of adult whale sharks, the potential differences between male and female growth, and comparisons to their closest relatives and other marine giants. ( Find out how you can help save oceans.Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean, leaving us in awe of their incredible size. Learning about whale sharks is an important part of protecting them. Scientists are also tagging and tracking the giant fish to learn more about their migration and breeding habits. These protected regions include Australia, India, the Philippines, and the United States. (Although their rubbery skin can be more than five inches thick, whale sharks can still be injured when fishing boats crash into them.) Their ocean habitat is also threatened by pollution.īut thanks in part to protected areas, where it’s against the law to harm whale sharks, scientists hope to see their numbers to rise. ![]() Humans are the biggest threat to these endangered fish, which are illegally hunted and sold as food and can be injured by large shipping vessels. Preserving populationsĪdult whale sharks have no known natural predators, though blue marlin and blue sharks prey on younger ones. Cartilage is strong, flexible, and less dense than bone, so it helps sharks swim fast and use less energy. Their skeletons are made of cartilage-the same stuff found in human ears and noses. Like all sharks, whale sharks don’t have bones.
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