![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_march_2020_whale_sharks/what_are_whale_sharks/727090/NGX0320_EE_08_09_BG.1440_0_1.jpg)
Whalesharksarethelargestfishintheocean.Theymayliveaslongas130 years.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_march_2020_whale_sharks/what_are_whale_sharks/727089/whaleshark_cutout__smaller.720_0_1.png)
SUPERSIZE.Adultwhalesharkscanweigh9 metrictons(20,000 pounds).
THICKSKIN.Awhaleshark’sskincanbeupto10centimeters(4inches) thick.
GENTLEGIANT.Whalesharksareknowntobe gentle.
SLOWSWIMMER.Whalesharksswimabout4.8kilometers(3miles)an hour.
HowTheyEat
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_march_2020_whale_sharks/what_are_whale_sharks/727094/NGX0320_EE_09.960_0_1.png)
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_march_2020_whale_sharks/what_are_whale_sharks/727096/mouth.800_0_1.png)
BIGMOUTH.Awhaleshark’smouthcanbeaswideasa car.