Whale shark and golden trevally, Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia

© Pete Oxford/Nature Picture Librar

The fish that outgrew its name. International Whale Shark Day

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 60 feet and weighing around 20 tons. 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.

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