Whale Shark

Superpower

Filters thousands of litres of seawater an hour through its gills to sieve out plankton.

At a glance

Size

typically 900 cm, up to 1800 cm

Lifespan

70–100 years

Depth

0–1900 m

Habitat

Warm open ocean and coastal waters, often near plankton blooms.

Diet

Plankton, tiny fish and fish eggs, filtered from the water.

Can I eat it?

No — this one is not eaten.

Fun facts

• •Each whale shark's pattern of spots is unique, like a fingerprint.
• •It is a filter feeder — one of only three shark species that feed this way.
• •The Philippines is one of the best places on Earth to swim alongside them.