Whale Shark
(Rhincodon typus)

Found across tropical and warm temperate oceans worldwide, the Whale Shark is the largest fish on Earth — and despite its size, feeds almost entirely on tiny plankton, fish eggs, and small fish! Its enormous mouth makes it the most likely culprit in the Bible's account of Jonah — though it’s worth noting they're generally harmless so we have no need to fear them today!

 

Did you know that every Whale Shark has a unique pattern of spots and stripes, like a fingerprint? Scientists actually use photo-ID software to identify individual sharks by their marks. This software was originally developed for star-mapping!