Where Does Whale Shark Live?

Whale Shark lives in specific habitats. Knowing where to look helps you find and identify it.

Where to find Whale Shark

Water type

saltwater

Depth

Primarily epipelagic and mesopelagic, typically found in surface waters down to depths of approximately 1,928 meters (6,325 feet), though most feeding occurs in the upper water column.

Environment

Warm temperate and tropical oceans worldwide, both in oceanic and coastal waters. They are often found near continental shelves, coral reefs, and atolls, particularly in areas of high plankton productivity.

Geographic range

Circumglobal distribution in tropical and warm temperate waters between approximately 30°N and 30°S latitude. Major aggregation sites include the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, Indo-Pacific (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, Maldives), and parts of the Atlantic Ocean (e.g., off West Africa).

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