Whales Sharks

Species > Whale Sharks

 

Courtesy of NOAA

Whales Sharks are the largest shark species inhabiting tropical waters and warm temperate seas around the world. This shark can live 75 years, grow as large as 65 feet and weigh over 10 tons. This magnificent creature's 5 foot wide mouth has 3,000 very tiny teeth that are situated in about 350 rows. The Whale Shark is a filter feeder with plankton, krill, and small fish eggs it's primary diet. Due to it's docile nature and declining populations it was included on the World Conservation Union's list of threatened species in 2008.

Normally a solitary swimmer, the Whale Shark will congregate to feed during mating season, a sign rarely seen.

Whale Sharks have been hunted by harpoon in Asian countries for centuries for their highly valued flesh, fins and liver oil. The flesh is eaten fresh, dried salted or frozen. Oil is extracted from the liver and used to waterproof wooden boats. The fins are used in shark fin soup, the offal for fish meal, the cartilage for health supplements and the skin has been used for leather. Read Profits from a Dead Whale Shark and learn how this protected species is still being hunted today.

Watch this video of a Whale Shark encounter in Australia and see this beautiful, peaceful fish swimming.

Learn more about this magnificent shark, read the Whale Shark Factsheet.

Whale Sharks in Florida

Whale Sharks inhabit the northern waters surrounding Florida during the summer months and migrate to the Caribbean in the winter. Vessels often encounter the Whale Shark offshore in deep waters especially during their seasonal migrations.
Photo to the right Courtesy of Beau Middlebrook Sun Realty, Naples, Florida

In the northern Gulf of Mexico it is common to encounter a Whale Shark around oil rigs off Texas and Louisiana. In the Panhandle anglers often encounter them on deep wrecks.

During Thanksgiving week in 2011 lucky Naples anglers had a "once of a lifetime" encounter with 2 Whale Sharks 50 miles offshore of Marco Island. The sharks were 25' and 35' long swimming with hundreds of Cobia, Remora's and Amberjack. A few brave soles jumped in the water and swam with the fish for about an hour and a half while the remaining men on board took lots of pictures. The sharks lived up to their reputation of "gentle giants" as they hung out with the men in the water, enjoying their company, even nudging one man as if to encourage him to play!

In August 2012, one month after the sinking of the USCGC Mohawk 30 miles off Lee County, a 20 foot Whale Shark stunned divers, gracefully circling the ship while the divers had the rare opportunity to swim with this gentle giant. Another Whale Shark was reported on the Baja California in July 2012 and 30 miles offshore of Marco Island on a wreck anglers encountered another one.

This video was taken in June 2018 off Anna Maria Island, Florida.

Here is a video of a Whale Shark encounter 30 miles offshore of Carrabelle, Florida in September 2012.

Here is a video of a juvenile whale shark being released.

Swimming with a Whale Shark

The Whale Shark is a very slow moving docile creature who is very gentle, almost playful, when they encounter humans in the water. If you have the rare opportunity to get close to a Whale Shark, caution should be used to avoid accidental injury. If you swim with this massive creature, keep your distance, especially near their constantly moving tails. Do not attempt to ride, touch, or agitate the shark with camera flashes or loud noises. Boaters should stay clear of them to avoid injury with their props. Click the picture for more information.