Whale shark

The longest specimen of a whale shark to date has reached 13.7 m. There are reports based on sightings of specimens up to 18 or 20 m long, but these are mainly due to an overestimation and exaggeration, which is particularly common in large animals. In February 2012, Pakistani fishermen landed a 13m long specimen in the Karachi harbor basin. Whale sharks can weigh over 12 tons. Similar to basking sharks and giant mouth sharks, they feed on plankton and other microorganisms, which they filter by sucking in the water. According to recent studies, they also eat fish up to the size of mackerel and small tuna, i.e. up to about one meter. Because of its food specialization, this shark is harmless to humans, so that snorkeling trips with whale sharks are offered, for example, in the north of Western Australia. However, accidents can occur due to the size and strength of the animals, so that a minimum distance must be maintained.