Are whale sharks whales or sharks?
Quick Answer
Whale sharks are the largest fish species in the world, reaching up to 60 feet (18 meters) in length. Despite having 'whale' in their name, they are fish, not mammals.'whale shark' refers to their whale-like size, not their classification.
Key Facts
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π 3,600/moAre Whale Sharks Whales Or Sharks?
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Marine fish |
| Family | Rhincodontidae |
| Habitat | Oceans worldwide |
| Conservation | Protected in most countries |
| Research Status | Ongoing scientific study |
The Short Answer
Whale sharks are definitively sharks, not whales. Despite their massive sizeβup to 62 feet (18.8m)βwhale sharks are fish belonging to the class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish). The name βwhale sharkβ simply refers to their whale-like size; they are the largest fish species on Earth. Unlike whales, which are mammals, whale sharks breathe through gills, have cold blood, and lay eggs.
Whale Shark vs. Whale: Key Differences
Biological Classification
| Characteristic | Whale Shark | Whales |
|---|---|---|
| Classification | Fish (Chondrichthyes) | Mammal (Mammalia) |
| Breathing | Gills (extract oxygen from water) | Lungs (must surface for air) |
| Body temperature | Cold-blooded | Warm-blooded |
| Skeleton | Cartilage | Bone |
| Reproduction | Eggs (ovoviviparous) | Live birth, nursing |
| Skin covering | Dermal denticles (tiny teeth) | Smooth skin, some hair |
| Scientific name | Rhincodon typus | Order Cetacea (plankton, fish eggs, small fish) |
Physical Comparison
| Feature | Whale Shark | Blue Whale (largest whale) |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum length | 62 ft (18.8m) | 100 ft (large sizes) |
| Maximum weight | 47,000 lbs (21,000 kg) | 400,000 lbs (181,000 kg) |
| Tail orientation | Vertical (side-to-side) | Horizontal (up-down) |
| Dorsal fin | Two dorsal fins | Small or absent |
| Feeding method | Filter feeding | Filter feeding |
| Teeth | 3,000+ tiny teeth | Baleen plates |
Why Are They Called βWhale Sharksβ?
Origin of the Name
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Size | Whale-like size among fish |
| Feeding style | Filter feeding like baleen whales |
| Gentle nature | Non-aggressive like most large whales |
| Historical confusion | Early observers compared them to whales |
The name emerged from sailors and fishermen who observed these enormous fish and noted their whale-like characteristicsβparticularly their size and filter-feeding behavior. The scientific community retained this common name even after clarifying their shark classification.
Names in Different Languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English | Whale shark | Whale-like shark |
| Spanish | TiburΓ³n ballena | Whale shark |
| Japanese | Jinbei-zame (γΈγ³γγ¨γΆγ‘) | Named after Jinbei fabric pattern |
| Filipino | Butanding | Local name |
| Malay | Yu paus | Whale shark |
| Chinese | JΔ«ng shΔ (whale shark) | Whale shark |
Scientific Classification
Complete Taxonomy
| Level | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia | Animals |
| Phylum | Chordata | Vertebrates |
| Class | Chondrichthyes | Cartilaginous fish |
| Subclass | Elasmobranchii | Sharks and rays |
| Order | Orectolobiformes | Carpet sharks |
| Family | Rhincodontidae | Whale sharks only |
| Genus | Rhincodon | Single species |
| Species | R. typus | Whale shark |
The whale shark is the only living member of its family (Rhincodontidae), making it taxonomically unique among sharks.
Shark Characteristics in Whale Sharks
Features That Confirm Shark Status
| Shark Feature | Present in Whale Sharks | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cartilage skeleton | Yes | Flexible, lightweight |
| Gill slits | Yes (5 pairs) | Visible on sides of head |
| Dermal denticles | Yes | Skin covered in tiny tooth-like scales |
| Heterocercal tail | Yes | Upper tail lobe larger |
| Multiple dorsal fins | Yes (2) | Typical shark fin pattern |
| Ampullae of Lorenzini | Yes | Electroreceptor organs |
| Lack of swim bladder | Yes | Must keep moving or sink |
Comparison with Other Sharks
| Species | Maximum Size | Diet | Danger to Humans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whale Shark | 62 ft (18.8m) | Plankton, small fish | None |
| Basking Shark | 40 ft (12.2m) | Plankton | None |
| Great White Shark | 20 ft (6.1m) | Fish, seals, sea lions | Potentially dangerous |
| Tiger Shark | 18 ft (5.5m) | Varied (opportunistic) | Potentially dangerous |
| Hammerhead Shark | 20 ft (6.1m) | Fish, rays, octopus | Rarely dangerous |
Whale sharks and basking sharks are the only two filter-feeding sharks, sharing this feeding strategy with baleen whales despite being completely different animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do whale sharks filter feed like whales?
This is an example of convergent evolutionβunrelated species developing similar traits due to similar ecological pressures. Both whale sharks and baleen whales evolved filter-feeding independently because itβs an efficient way to harvest abundant small prey like plankton and small fish. Despite using similar strategies, their filtering mechanisms differ: whales use baleen plates made of keratin, while whale sharks use modified gill rakers.
Can whale sharks breathe air like whales?
No, whale sharks cannot breathe air. They extract oxygen from water using gills, like all fish. Unlike whales, which must surface to breathe, whale sharks can remain underwater indefinitely. They do sometimes surface, but for feeding on plankton concentrations, not breathing.
Are whale sharks dangerous to humans?
No, whale sharks are completely harmless to humans. Despite having approximately 3,000 tiny teeth, they cannot bite effectively and feed only on plankton and small fish. They are known for their docile nature and often allow divers to swim alongside them. The Georgia Aquarium notes that whale sharks sometimes even approach boats and divers with apparent curiosity.
Do whale sharks give live birth like whales?
Whale sharks are ovoviviparousβeggs develop and hatch inside the mother, who then gives birth to live young. This differs from true live birth in mammals like whales, where offspring develop via placental connection. A single whale shark can carry up to 300 embryos, though few survive to adulthood.
How can I tell a whale shark from a whale?
The easiest distinctions are:
- Tail movement: Whale sharks move tails side-to-side; whales move tails up-and-down
- Breathing: Whale sharks have visible gill slits; whales have blowholes on top
- Pattern: Whale sharks have distinctive white spots and stripes
- Fin shape: Whale sharks have the classic shark dorsal fin
Evolutionary History
How Whale Sharks Evolved
| Period | Years Ago | Development |
|---|---|---|
| Devonian | 400 million | First sharks appear |
| Jurassic | 150 million | Modern shark groups diversify |
| Paleocene | 60 million | Whale shark lineage emerges |
| Present | 0 | Single species remains |
Whale sharks evolved their filter-feeding lifestyle relatively recently in evolutionary terms. Fossil evidence suggests their ancestors were likely more typical predatory sharks before adapting to exploit plankton-rich waters.
Conservation Status
Understanding whale shark classification matters for conservation:
| Factor | Implication |
|---|---|
| Fish classification | Different regulations than marine mammals |
| CITES Appendix II | International trade restrictions |
| IUCN Endangered | Population declining 50%+ |
| Migratory species | Requires international cooperation |
| Slow reproduction | Recovery takes decades |
For more information, see our articles on whale shark size, what makes whales mammals, and whether whales are fish.
Related Questions
Sources & References
Last verified: 2026-02-02
People Also Ask
How Long Is A Whale Shark??
Whale sharks are the largest fish species in the world, reaching up to 60 feet (18 meters) in length. Despite having 'whale' in their name, they are fish, not mammals.'s largest fish species.
How Big Are Whale Sharks??
Whale sharks can reach 12m (40 ft) and weigh up to 20 tons, making them the largest fish in the world. The largest confirmed specimen was 18.8m (62 ft).
Is A Whale A Fish??
No, whales are not fishβthey are mammals. Whales breathe air through lungs, give live birth, nurse their young with milk, and are warm-blooded. Fish breathe through gills, lay eggs, and are cold-blooded. Whales evolved from land mammals about 50 million years ago.
Is A Whale A Mammal??
Yes, whales are mammals. They breathe air through lungs, give birth to live young, nurse their calves with milk, are warm-blooded, and have hair (at least at some point in life). Whales evolved from land-dwelling mammals approximately 50 million years ago.
Test Your Knowledge: Whale Shark
They can reach 4m (12 ft) / 50 tons