Whale Shark
Rhincodon typus
Very large (reported to 18m); Blue-grey body with unique patter of pale spots and stripes. Unmistakable.
Morphology
Very wide mouth; prominent skin ridges; large fins and a semi-lunate tail.
Evolution
Sole member of the family and arose some 60 million years ago.
Behaviour
Filters plankton from the water column while swimming; migratory.
Method of reproduction
Ovoviviparous; females probably store sperm and fertilise their eggs over a prolonged time; little known.
Habitat
Marine
Surface waters of the open ocean
Distribution
All tropical seas
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Order: | Orectolobiformes |
| Family: | Rhincodontidae |
| Genus: | Rhincodon |
| Species: | typus |
| Name Published Year: | 1828 |
|---|---|
| Rank: | species |
| Scientific Name Authorship: | Smith |
| Commercial Impact: | Ecotourism, bycatch |
| Conservation Assessment: | Endangered |
| State Conservation Status: | Vulnerable |
Cite this page
Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/rhincodon-typus
Accessed 6 Nov 2025
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