What is the largest shark?
Quick answer
The whale shark is the largest species of shark and the largest fish in the world. Adults commonly reach 12 m (40 ft), and the biggest may grow to about 18 m (60 ft). Despite its size, it’s a gentle filter feeder that eats plankton, small fish and fish eggs.
The largest sharks
| Rank | Shark | Typical maximum length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whale shark | 12–18 m |
| 2 | Basking shark | 8–10 m (also a filter feeder) |
| 3 | Great white shark | 5–6 m (largest predatory shark) |
| 4 | Greenland shark | 6–7 m (may live 400 years) |
| 5 | Tiger shark | 5 m |
How a giant eats tiny food
Whale sharks swim with their huge mouths open, up to 1.5 m wide, filtering water through spongy pads in their gills. They can process thousands of liters of water an hour. Despite having about 3,000 tiny teeth, they don’t use them to eat.
Gentle giants
Whale sharks are harmless to people, and in places like Mexico, the Philippines, Australia and the Maldives, tourists can snorkel alongside them, following rules to keep a safe distance and avoid touching. Each whale shark has a unique pattern of spots, which researchers use to identify individuals, much like jaguars’ rosettes.
What about megalodon?
The extinct megalodon, which died out about 3.6 million years ago, was much larger than any living predatory shark, possibly 15–20 m long. Its teeth were up to 18 cm. Unlike the whale shark, it hunted large prey such as whales.
Conservation
Whale sharks are listed as endangered. Threats include boat strikes, fishing nets and hunting in some regions.
For another ocean giant, see the largest sea turtle.
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