International Whale Shark Day Aug 30, 2026

Today, International Whale Shark Day makes room for the world"s largest fish. Despite their name, whale sharks are not whales but fish, reaching lengths of up to 18 metres and weighing around 18 tonnes. Found in warm tropical seas, they glide through the water with their mouths open, filtering plankton, fish eggs and other tiny prey. This species" distinctive white-spot patterns are unique to each individual, much like human fingerprints.

© Pete Oxford/Nature Picture Library

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