Whale Shark

Rhincodon typus

Spotted pattern on back. Very broad mouth without teeth.

Size : 12-14 cm

Habitat : Predominantly pelagic, occasionally also approaches reefs. Generally a loner, however gathering places near the reef are known. Harmless plankton filterers, can suck in several tons of water with one “swallow”.

Distribution : Circumtropical.

Classification

KINGDOM

:

Animalia

PHYLUM

:

Chordata

CLASS

:

Elasmobranchii

ORDER

:

Orectolobiformes

FAMILY

:

Rhincodontidae

GENUS

:

Rhincodon

SPECIES

:

Rhincodon typus

Other Information

Population Status

Endangered (EN)

PHOTO COLLECTION

Reference

  1. inaturalist.org
  2. Reef Fishes of the Indo-Pacific. Book by Matthias Bergbauer and Manuela Kirschner