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Rhincodon typus
Is a slow-moving filter feeding shark, the largest living fish species. The largest confirmed individual had a length of 12.65 metres (41.50 ft) and a weight of more than 21.5 tonnes. We saw males and females. They must have been young since they were smaller than 10 m.
The whale shark inhabits all tropical and warm-temperate seas. They are known to migrate every spring to the continental shelf of the central west coast of Australia. The coral spawning of the area's Ningaloo Reef provides the whale shark with an abundant supply of plankton. Primarily pelagic, seasonal feeding aggregations occur at several coastal sites such as the southern and eastern parts of South Africa; Gladden Spit in Belize; Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia; Útila in Honduras; Donsol, Pasacao and Batangas in the Philippines; off Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox in Yucatan, Mexico; Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia; Nosy Be in Madagascar Off Tofo Reef near Inhambane in Mozambique, and the Tanzanian islands of Mafia, Pemba, Zanzibar and, very rarely, Eilat, Israel. Although typically seen offshore, it has been found closer to land, entering lagoons or coral atolls, and near the mouths of estuaries and rivers. Its range is generally restricted to about ±30° latitude. It is capable of diving to depths of 700 metres (2,300 ft), and is migratory
The pictures were made with a disposable camera, while snorkeling. Quality is also not so good because the water had poor visibility.
Spotted on Sep 16, 2011
Submitted on Oct 8, 2011
16 Comments
Well given that this is taken with a disposable makes it that much better. Where I live, 30ft visibility is a good day so seeing this much and this big of an animal would be the best day of diving!
Thanks Arya! It is very likely to see them in this particular place in Mexico. Unfortunately my camera was broken and these pics are with one disposable camera so not very sharp. Also, add it murky waters. In any case, I could even touch the animal because at some point I was just above him. Very unique experience!
I would love to see one of these in person. Congrats Marta
Gracias, Gerardo! pero por lastima fueron con una camara desechable ya que este es el viaje en el que ahogue mi camara durante una inmersion. Aun asi logramos capturar el momento inolvidable con el tiburon ballena :-)
Wow que buenas fotos Marta
no, estaba haciendo esnorquel con una camara desechable :-)
Si ya no tenías la cámara ¿cómo hiciste las fotos?¿a través de una ventana? lo pregunto para saber si estabas en un barco.
Must have been a wonderful experience, no doubt!
Thanks, Kassius! Early September and the Holbox Island in Yucatan peninsule, Mexico, are a place an moment of the year optimum to see this shark.
Thanks for sharing Marta! This is a wonderful species!
Si, fue una experiencia genial. vimos hasta unos 5 de ellos :-)
Marta!!!! qué impresionante.
It is one of my dreams come true and it happened because I spoiled my camera while scuba diving then we changed plans and went on the snorkeling trip instead. It was very rewarding to see not only one but several specimens :-)
This is a rare animal. Thanks for sharing this with us Marta. I hope one day I can see one of them too !
Pues sabes que? que al segundo buceo ahogue la camara, asi que al final hicimos solo tres buceos en la isla y por eso fuimos a ver al tiburon ballena, ya que no iba a poder hacer mas fotos. No hay mal que por bien no venga :-)
Nos tienes verde de envidia! :)