Egg
Eggs develop in the open sea and hatch after about 7 to 10 days.
Four-stage life cycle
Whale shark
The largest fish in the world
A cartilaginous fish of the Rhincodontidae family, the whale shark is ovoviviparous: eggs develop inside the female and the pups are born alive.
Life cycle (4 stages)
Young whale shark
The young hatch and begin feeding on plankton.
Juvenile
The whale shark grows slowly for many years before reaching maturity.
Adult
It undertakes long migrations and can live 70 to 100 years or more.
Physical changes
- Born as a very small individual, only a few tens of centimetres long.
- The body grows gradually and its characteristic spot pattern appears.
- Size increases continuously for many years.
- Sexual maturity is reached at 25 to 30 years on average.
Habitat
- Tropical oceans
- Subtropical oceans
- Coral reefs
- Coastal waters
- Open sea
- Plankton-rich areas
Diet
- Plankton
- Krill
- Small crustaceans
- Fish eggs
- Fish larvae
- Marine micro-organisms
Survival adaptations
- Enormous size but a peaceful temperament.
- Broad flat head and huge mouth adapted to filter feeding.
- Small eyes on the sides of the head giving a wide field of view.
- Very thick skin with a unique pattern of white spots.
- Powerful tail for efficient long-distance swimming.
- Highly developed sense of orientation.
Ecological importance
- Maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems
- Regulating plankton populations
- Supporting marine biodiversity
- Sustaining ecotourism in many regions
Importance
- Type : Cartilaginous fish (family: Rhincodontidae)
- Habitat shift : Open sea → Coastal waters and reefs → Open ocean → Breeding areas
- Role : Major plankton filter feeder and keystone species of marine ecosystems.
- Contributes to ocean health and is an excellent indicator of marine ecosystem quality.
Did you know?
Whale sharks can travel hundreds of kilometres during their migrations and some individuals exceed 12 metres in length.