A 2020 study looked at the growth of whale shark individuals over a 10-year period around the Ningaloo Reef and concluded the species exhibits sexual dimorphism with regard to size, with females …

Jan 10, 2026 · In the eastern Pacific they can be found from southern California in the United States to northern Chile. The whale shark is enormous and reportedly capable of reaching a maximum length …

The skin of an adult whale shark can be as thick as 4 inches (10 cm) and has the consistency of strong rubber, which limits possible predators to killer whales, great white sharks, tiger sharks and humans.

Jun 18, 2025 · Average whale sharks grow to between 18 and 33 feet long, with some especially large individuals reaching 40 feet. This massive specimen rivals the largest ever recorded, coming close to …

Discover fascinating facts about whale sharks, the ocean’s gentle giants, and how WWF protects them.

6 days ago · Explore the colossal dimensions of the whale shark, the largest fish, and the decades-long journey of slow growth to reach its immense scale.

Apr 11, 2023 · 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. This suggests that the largest whale sharks …

Knowing the size of whale sharks helps you grasp their unique place in marine life. These gentle giants present impressive dimensions that set them apart from most ocean creatures. Whale sharks …

Upon reaching sexual maturity, whale sharks are typically about nine metres in length. Many grow larger than this – with most of those measured coming in at around 12 metres. However, they can grow …

Adult whale sharks typically reach lengths of 12-14 meters (39-46 feet), though some exceptional individuals can grow up to 20 meters (65 feet) long. The average length of whale sharks is around 9 …