Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the world, but much about them remains unknown. Like many types of sharks, they give birth to live young, though no one has witnessed a baby whale shark being born. In addition, captured pregnant whale sharks have been found with more than 300 embryos. Continue reading to discover 5 incredible facts about whale shark babies.
1. Whale Sharks Have the Largest Eggs of Any Animal on Earth
A baby whale shark set against a black background
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Whale shark eggs are about twice the size of ostrich eggs. Whale shark eggs are the largest eggs produced by any living animal, though the extinct elephant bird laid even larger eggs.
2. A Baby Whale Shark is Called a Pup
A juvenile whale shark is swimming in the ocean.
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Baby whale sharks are called pups. Other marine animals with babies known as pups include seals. Of course, on land, baby dogs are known as pups.
3. Baby Whale Sharks Take a Long Time to Grow Up and May Live More than 100 Years!
A whale shark surrounded by remora fish
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Compared to most species, baby whale sharks are already quite large (see baby whale shark fact #5), but they take a long time to grow up! The overall growth rates of whale sharks are poorly understood, however, males grow faster. Males grow at a rate of about one foot per year, while female whale sharks grow at a lower pace, about 8 inches per year.
Of course, growing 8 inches to a foot per year really adds up, and the longest ever recorded whale shark measured 61.7 feet (18.8 meters), while most adults are commonly observed at lengths between 18 and 32 feet (5.5 to 9.8 meters). Due to their slow growth rates relative to their body size, whale sharks reach sexual maturity at a very late age. It’s estimated that male whale sharks are 25 years old before they can mate. Because of this slow growth rate, whale sharks also live a very long time. It’s estimated their lifespan ranges from 100 to 130 years!
4. No One has Seen a Whale Shark Give Birth
Whale Sharks are the largest fish in the world.
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It’s one of the greatest ocean mysteries! No one has ever seen a whale shark give birth. Very little is known about the development process in general.
You might recall that the first fact in this article is that whale sharks have the largest eggs. So, how can they also give birth? Well, the eggs remain in the whale shark’s body, and they give birth to live young. The name for this adaptation is called ovoviviparity. It is common among many shark species.
5. A Whale Shark can be up to 2 Feet Long at Birth!
This juvenile whale shark may be 5 years old, but it still faces the threat of predators.
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The estimated size for whale sharks at birth is about 16 to 24 inches. Of course, a live birth has never been observed! Therefore, this estimate is based on embryos that have been discovered and small whale sharks that were recently born. While whale sharks will eventually get very large (with a lot of time), at birth, they’re very susceptible to predation and will remain that way throughout the first decade of their lives.
