Pronunciation: [wˈe͡ɪl ʃˈɑːk] (IPA) 
The word "whale shark" is spelled as /weɪl ʃɑːk/, with the first part "whale" pronounced as "wayl" and the second part "shark" pronounced as "shark". The reason for this spelling is that the whale shark, despite its name, is not actually a whale but a species of shark, the largest fish in the world, in fact. The name likely comes from the whale-like size of this shark, which can grow up to 40 feet in length.
A whale shark is a colossal species of fish categorized under the scientific name Rhincodon typus. Known to be the largest extant fish species in the world, it belongs to the shark family, Rhincodontidae. The whale shark is renowned for its immense size and unique physical characteristics. It possesses a streamlined and elongated body, typically measuring around 40 feet in length, although some individuals may reach up to 60 feet in extreme cases.
This species exhibits distinct features, including a broad, flat head with a wide mouth that can exceed 4 feet in width. The throat of the whale shark contains several rows of tiny teeth that characteristically differ from those found in other shark species. Its body is predominantly covered in light gray to brownish skin with a pattern of pale spots and stripes, forming a complex mosaic-like design. These distinctive markings are similar to a human fingerprint and aid researchers in determining individual identification.
Whale sharks are docile filter feeders, meaning they consume mainly tiny marine organisms by swimming with their mouths wide open to filter large quantities of water. Their specialized diet primarily consists of plankton, krill, small fish, and other microscopic organisms.
Found in tropical and warm temperate oceans across the globe, these gentle giants are generally solitary creatures, although they can occasionally form groups, particularly during feeding events or mating activities.
The whale shark is of great interest to marine biologists, conservationists, and ecotourism, drawing significant fascination for its awe-inspiring size, remarkable biology, and non-threatening nature.
The word "whale shark" is a compound noun consisting of two separate words: "whale" and "shark".
The term "whale" comes from the Old English word "hwæl", which in turn can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "hwalaz". The word "whale" refers to the large marine mammals belonging to the order Cetacea, which includes species like baleen whales.
The term "shark" comes from the Middle English word "shakke", which is derived from the Old English word "sceacga". This, in turn, can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "skagjan", meaning "to move quickly". The word "shark" refers to a group of cartilaginous fish belonging to the family Selachimorpha.
