Whales undertake some of the longest migrations of any mammal. Species like the gray whale and humpback whale travel thousands of miles each year, from their feeding grounds to their breeding grounds and back again.. Whales have a unique way of communicating and navigating. They use a variety of vocalizations, such as songs and clicks, to communicate with …Aug 4, 2019 · 10 Facts You Should Know About Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises. The term "whales" can include all cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), which are a diverse group of animals ranging in size from just a few feet long to over 100 feet long. While most whales spend their lives offshore in the ocean's pelagic zone, some inhabit coastal areas ... CNN —. The public absence of Catherine, Princess of Wales, has grown from a niche royal watcher concern to an international punchline in a matter of weeks. While … In order to simplify there reasons here is a short list of 4 common reasons why whales migrate. They migrate for mating and feeding purposes. They migrate primarily to maintain their food supply. They are wanderers and travel the world without any notable migration pattern. They do not migrate and maintain a fixed distance from their home ... Breaching occurs when a whale picks up speed near the water, lifts its body, and leaps out of it, exposing up to 90% of its body above the surface. The whale may land on its side or back during breaching, which often creates an immense splash upon landing. Regarding why these whales breach, here are three theories on the topic.Unlike many other animals who have only one specific mating call, whales can vary their songs and teach them to one another. Whales will sing to each other for ...To give each male the best opportunity for reproducing some species produce large amounts of sperm which is believed to help wash out the previous males sperm in an attempt to impregnate the female whale with its own sperm. Mating season will continue for several months until all of the whales have had sufficient time to mate or bare offspring.Interesting Bryde’s Whales Facts 1. They’re a bunch of whales. It’s hard to classify what exactly a Bryde’s whale is. Their taxonomy is still being defined, so for now Bryde’s whales may be two or three closely-related species, perhaps even more, that are hard to tell apart.The Blue Whale. Blue Whales are known for being the largest creatures on the planet. Full grown blue whales can weigh up to 180 tons and grow to be over 100 ft. long. A lifespan of 70 – 90 plus years also makes them one of the oldest living species on the planet. Thought to be blue because of their appearance from above the water, they are ...Whales are one of the worlds longest living animals. In fact whales (actually their ancestors) are believed to have existed over 50 million years ago. During the course of their time on earth whales have evolved from land dwelling animals to inhabitants of the sea. Although it may be hard for some people to believe these marine mammals began ...Beluga Whale. Belugas are also called white whales, and their unusual color makes them one of the most familiar and easily distinguishable of all the whales. Calves are born gray or even brown and ...6. Sperm whales have the biggest brains of any animal on earth! Whale facts interesting to even our youngest passengers is…brain size. While the blue whale may hold the heavyweight title and award for the longest length, Physeter macrocephalus or sperm whale is the largest of the toothed whales and is responsible for producing the largest …Beluga Whale: 14 – 15 months (females give birth to a single calf every 3 years). Blue Whale: 11 – 12 months (females breed every 2 – 3 years). Killer whale: 15 – 18 months (average is about 17 months). Females give birth every 3 – 5 years. Note: Killer whales are part of the dolphin family and are the largest among the dolphin species.Interesting Minke Whale Facts 1. They’re named after a mistake. Minke whales are the smaller cousin of blue whales. The genus also contains the Bryde’s whale, fin whale and the Sei whale. All of these are so hard to tell apart you’d have to be a whale nerd to notice the difference (and you’d have to get a look at the ridges on their ...Learn about the largest animals to have ever lived on Earth, their diet, habitat, communication and more. Find out how blue whales are endangered and what you can …As far as how long a dolphin can hold its breath varies depending on the species. Some dolphins can only hold their breath for a few minutes (3 – 7 minutes) while underwater, while other species have been known to hold their breath for over 20 minutes during deep dives. Most of what is known about a dolphin’s ability to hold its breath is ...Fun Facts About False Killer Whale. Female false killer whales live longer than their male mates. Females can live to 63 while males can live to the age of 58. False killer whales are nighttime hunters and like to forage in groups, sharing their prey. They sometimes trick fishing boats and feed on fish on fishing lines or in nets.First of all whales are marine mammals while fish are paraphyletic organisms. While whales get their oxygen from the air they inhale above the water fish extract oxygen through the water directly from their gills. In fact while it is possible for whales to drown below the water, it is possible for fish to suffocate above the water. Beluga Whale. Belugas are also called white whales, and their unusual color makes them one of the most familiar and easily distinguishable of all the whales. Calves are born gray or even brown and ... Whale Facts has been created to be your ultimate resource on whales, dolphins and porpoises and give you answers to many of the common questions people want to know about the cetacean family. In addition to learning all about the whale species you’ll also gain insights into the lives of dolphin and porpoise as well a few other marine mammals ...Conclusion. In conclusion, whales do rest. However, they do not fall asleep like humans and other animals because they must remain conscious of their need for oxygen as they live in the ocean. When they rest, they remain partially conscious to react to danger and obtain more air when necessary. Their body is designed to allow them to hold their ...Beluga Whale Fun Facts. New-born and young beluga whales are grey or brown in color. The species gradually attains its distinctive white color as it reaches adulthood (this takes between 7 and 9 years). Some beluga whales are migratory, overwintering in deep offshore waters and spending summer in shallow coastal waters. …6 Enthralling Bryde’s Whale Facts. At an average length of 40 – 55 ft. long Bryde’s whale is considered a mid sized whale among the baleen whale suborder with the smaller minke whale measuring an average length of 22 – 25 ft. long and the larger blue whale measuring an average of 70 – 90 ft. long. This marine mammals name comes from ...Dolphins inhabit a wide range of the world’s oceans. Most dolphins live in the shallow waters of the ocean’s continental shelves in tropical and temperate waters. There are also lesser-known dolphins in rivers of the world located in China, South America, India, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia. Some of the larger species of dolphins, such as ...Echolocation is the ability to observe an environment using sound. The sounds made by animals are sent out into the environment to bounce off of nearby objects and return information about the nearby objects by measuring the amount of time it takes for the sound waves to return. Each sound or echo that is created bounces off of various objects ...Want to win a major deal? Use these strategies. Trusted by business builders worldwide, the HubSpot Blogs are your number-one source for education and inspiration. Resources and id...Learn about whales' breath, pee, size, songs, and more in this article. Discover how whales are related to dolphins, porpoises, and humans, and how they …Interesting Bowhead Whale Facts 1. They’re thought to be the oldest-living mammals. In 1981, whalers found a harpoon tip that dated back 150 years. This harpoon tip had just come out of a fresh bowhead carcass, suggesting that it had entered the animal well over a century ago, and had been carried inside its blubber ever since. ... Interesting Fin Whale Facts 1. They have the deepest voice on earth. Whales are huge, but the space they live in dwarfs even them. To find one another, they shout. These long-distance calls span hundreds of miles and in fin whales, dip into frequency ranges far below what the human ear can pick up, and is the lowest frequency call of any animal ... Oct 16, 2017 ... As you would expect of an animal of whale size, they pee a lot. In fact, according to the Canadian Journal of Zoology a fin whale can pee as ...The blue whale is a massive creature and is the largest living animal globally, even larger than most dinosaurs.. The largest of the blue whales can measure in at over 100 ft in length and can weigh more than 180 tons at its largest. In fact, everything about the blue whale is large including its, arteries and heart.Justin Lewis / Digital Vision / Getty Images. One of the most notable facts about whale sharks is that they are the world's largest fish. At a maximum length of about 65 feet and weight of 75,000 pounds, a whale shark's size rivals that of large whales . 02.Scientists have confirmed the presence of a whale off New England that went extinct in the Atlantic Ocean two centuries ago. It is an exciting discovery, but one they …Whale hunting is the practice of hunting whales for their meat, oil, and various body parts. The practice of hunting whales has existed for more than 5,000 years. Whalers would hunt and kill many large whales for their body parts. Numerous industries would then use the whale’s various body parts to make a variety of goods such as transmission ...Aug 4, 2019 · 10 Facts You Should Know About Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises. The term "whales" can include all cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), which are a diverse group of animals ranging in size from just a few feet long to over 100 feet long. While most whales spend their lives offshore in the ocean's pelagic zone, some inhabit coastal areas ... Whale History, Evolution, Behavior and Threats. Whale Facts is a resource on whales, dolphins, and porpoises. This site provides answers to common questions about the cetacean family. Size: Larger than the size of a dolphin but smaller than a true whale, the average length of the adult beluga is 9.8 feet. The males measure to 11.2-15.1 ft. and the females being 9.8 to 13.1 ft. Weight: Males are between 1,100 and 1,600 kg while females are 700 and 1,200 kg.Get the facts on some of the world's most rare and incredible whale species. Whales are the largest creatures on earth. Some whale species are even larger than the largest dinosaur that ever existed. They travel the farthest of any mammal throughout the world's oceans and sing the most complex songs of any wildlife.National. Marine mammals in the cetacean family include whales, dolphins, and porpoises. These animals are often referred to as “sentinels” of ocean health, providing insight into marine ecosystem dynamics. Learn more cool things about cetaceans below. 1. They tend to be social and live in groups. Cetaceans may communicate by slapping the ...Whales are part of the ‘cetacea’ family as they have fins, flukes, and blowholes. The largest whale in the world was the blue whale at 30 meters and over 180 tonnes, whereas the smallest was the pygmy sperm whale at 3.5m. Whales have been hunted for their meat, bones, and for medicinal purposes. Due to the practice of whaling, most species ...Whale hunting is the practice of hunting whales for their meat, oil, and various body parts. The practice of hunting whales has existed for more than 5,000 years. Whalers would hunt and kill many large whales for their body parts. Numerous industries would then use the whale’s various body parts to make a variety of goods such as transmission ...1. Blue Whales Can Grow More Than 100 Feet Long. They are gigantic, generally ranging in length from 80 to 100 feet (24 to 30 meters). The longest, accurately measured blue whale is a female who ...10 Awe-Inspiring Sperm Whale Facts. Reaching depths of over 9,500 ft., the sperm whale is one of the world’s deepest diving marine mammals. Sperm whales are well-known for their diet, consisting of giant squid known for growing to lengths of over 40 ft. long. Because the sperm whale often hunts for its food in pitch-black waters, echolocation ... A wholphin or wolphin is a dolphin that is born from a bottlenose dolphin mating with a false killer whale. The name “Wholphin” comes from a mixture of the false killer whale and bottlenose dolphin names, however the false killer whale scientifically belongs to the dolphin family. Both the false killer whale and the bottlenose dolphin are ... Measuring in at 32 – 38 ft. in length Omura’s whale is one of the smallest whales within the baleen whale species. On average male whales tend to be 6 ft. shorter than their female counterparts. While females can grow to lengths of 32 – 38 ft. the males tend to measure in at around 27 – 33 ft. long. Some researchers believe that these ... The minke whale is the second smallest whale in the baleen suborder with the smallest known species being the pygmy right whale. On average the minke whale will grow to an average length of 22 – 24 ft. long and weigh as much as 11 tons. As with other baleen whales the female whales will often grow slightly larger than their male counter parts ... 1. Blue Whales Can Grow More Than 100 Feet Long. They are gigantic, generally ranging in length from 80 to 100 feet (24 to 30 meters). The longest, accurately measured blue whale is a female who ...Discover fascinating facts about these mysterious, intelligent and beautiful animals. Cetaceans – whales, dolphins, and porpoises – are found throughout the world’s oceans, with 90 species worldwide and over 30 species in Canadian waters. We continue to be drawn to these mysterious, intelligent animals who live in cold marine waters – an environment so different …Oct 22, 2018 ... Let these Whale Facts blow your mind! Whale species are either classed as toothed whales or baleen whales depending on their physical ...Conservation groups continue bid to lift stay in right whale vessel speed rule case. 03/15/2024. March 15, 2024 - Contact: Regina Asmutis-Silvia, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, (508) 451-3853, [email protected] Catherine...If you have ever dreamed of seeing majestic whales up close and personal, booking a guided whale watch cruise is the perfect way to make that dream a reality. These cruises offer a... Among the dolphins that are called whales is the short-finned pilot whale. An adult can weigh anywhere from 2,200 to 6,600 pounds (1,000 to 3,000 kilograms) and can measure from 12 to 18 feet (3.7 to 5.5 meters) in length. Finally, the largest dolphin is the killer whale or orca. An adult female orca can weigh in at a whopping 16,500 pounds ... Whales have been studied for decades and scientists have learned a lot about the behavior of whales in their natural habitat. Most species of whale are known to spend their time doing a variety of activities including foraging, migrating, mating, socializing, sleeping and exploring. Not all whales however will engage equally in all of the ...Beluga Whale: 14 – 15 months (females give birth to a single calf every 3 years). Blue Whale: 11 – 12 months (females breed every 2 – 3 years). Killer whale: 15 – 18 months (average is about 17 months). Females give birth every 3 – 5 years. Note: Killer whales are part of the dolphin family and are the largest among the dolphin species.Oct 30, 2023 · Fin Whale. Credit: NOAA Fisheries. The fin whale is the second-largest whale species on earth, second only to the blue whale. It is found throughout the world’s oceans. It gets its name from an easy-to-spot fin on its back, near its tail. Like all large whales, fin whales were hunted by commercial whalers, which severely lowered their ... Mar 5, 2024 · Blue whale, a species of baleen whale, a cetacean, that is the most massive animal ever to have lived. Weighing approximately 150 tons, it may attain a length of more than 30 meters (98 feet). Blue whales are predominantly blue-gray animals whose lower surfaces are lighter gray or white. A few whale species (such as the blue whale) may drink more than 150 gallons of milk per day and can easily gain 100 pounds or more each day in its first few months of birth, primarily from drinking its mother’s milk. Baby whales can often consume anywhere from 2% to 10% of their weight in milk daily. In terms of how long a baby whale may ...Among the dolphins that are called whales is the short-finned pilot whale. An adult can weigh anywhere from 2,200 to 6,600 pounds (1,000 to 3,000 kilograms) and can measure from 12 to 18 feet (3.7 to 5.5 meters) in length. Finally, the largest dolphin is the killer whale or orca. An adult female orca can weigh in at a whopping 16,500 pounds ...The largest gray whales weigh about 99,000 pounds (45,000 kg)!. These giant mammals breathe air through nostrils called blowholes, located on top of the head.The northern bottlenose whale makes up one of two species of bottlenose whale. The other species is known as the southern bottlenose whale. These whales can be found swimming in cold waters in and around sub arctic climates.. Extensive hunting has led to large declines in terms of their overall population as over 85,000 whales were killed …At full maturity, the male killer whale usually grows to 20 – 26 ft. and weighs roughly 8,000 lbs. – 12,000 lbs. Comparatively, an adult female killer whale will grow to an average length of 16 – 23 ft. and weigh 3,000 lbs. – 6,000 lbs. The most enormous recorded killer whale measured 32 feet and weighed over 10 tons!The cetacean family includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. The Antarctic Blue Whale is the largest animal on our planet; this and many other whale facts have led many to study and wonder about these majestic ocean-dwelling giants. Whales are marine mammals that grow to more than 45 feet long and weigh up to 200 tons.Long, white tusks break the surface of the icy Arctic water. It’s not a waterlogged herd of unicorns—it’s a pod of narwhals! This species of whale is best known for its tusk—a long, spiraled tooth that usually only the males develop. (Females occasionally do.) The tusk can grow to 9 feet (3 meters) long and weigh more than 22 pounds (10 kilograms). …Mar 4, 2020 · Essential Facts. Interesting Facts. 01 Whales are the world’s largest animals. 02 Every single ocean on Earth is a whale habitat. 03 Whales are mammals, meaning they are warm-blooded and breathe air. 04 The 2 main types of whales are toothed and baleen. 05 Types of whales are grouped into 8 families, all fully-adapted to living in the water. The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is a marine mammal and a baleen whale.Reaching a maximum confirmed length of 29.9 meters (98 ft) and weighing up to 199 tonnes (196 long tons; 219 short tons), it is the largest animal known ever to have existed. The blue whale's long and slender body can be of various shades of greyish-blue dorsally and somewhat lighter underneath.For the most part, blue whales are too large to have regular predators. In fact, the only known predator to attempt to attack a blue whale is a group of killer whales. While these instances are rare, there have been people who have confirmed witnessing such attacks, and even a few videos have been recorded showing a group of killer whales ...The average life expectancy of a dolphin is 30 years. However, their lifespan can vary from 20 to 50 years, depending on the species and situation. Death can occur due to old age; diseases or parasites; bacterial, fungal, and viral infections; heart disease; respiratory disorders; skin diseases, stomach ulcers, tumors, or urogenital disorders.The largest gray whales weigh about 99,000 pounds (45,000 kg)!. These giant mammals breathe air through nostrils called blowholes, located on top of the head. Interesting Fin Whale Facts 1. They have the deepest voice on earth. Whales are huge, but the space they live in dwarfs even them. To find one another, they shout. These long-distance calls span hundreds of miles and in fin whales, dip into frequency ranges far below what the human ear can pick up, and is the lowest frequency call of any animal ... 2+. Whales have long been swimming around the waters of the Earth for who knows how long. They are not just the giants of the ocean, but of the whole animal …10 Awe-Inspiring Sperm Whale Facts. Reaching depths of over 9,500 ft., the sperm whale is one of the world’s deepest diving marine mammals. Sperm whales are well-known for their diet, consisting of giant squid known for growing to lengths of over 40 ft. long. Because the sperm whale often hunts for its food in pitch-black waters, echolocation ...10 Awe-Inspiring Sperm Whale Facts. Reaching depths of over 9,500 ft., the sperm whale is one of the world’s deepest diving marine mammals. Sperm whales are well-known for their diet, consisting of giant squid known for growing to lengths of over 40 ft. long. Because the sperm whale often hunts for its food in pitch-black waters, echolocation ...Jan 7, 2021 ... The oil from a right whale would operate an average American car for 8 years.Whaling for energy was only profitable when whaling vessels used ...In fact the blue whale can measure in at more than 100 ft. and weigh over 150 tons! The killer whale (actually a dolphin) is the largest known living mammal that hunts and eats other mammals. All species of Cetacea are broken down into two suborders known as baleen whales and toothed whales. Baleen whales are whales that are born with baleen ...The dwarf sperm whale may have anywhere from 16 – 24 teeth on its lower jaw and up to 6 teeth on the upper jaw. When threatened the dwarf sperm whale is able to produce a dark red ink which is believed to be used to blind and disorient its prey so that it can escape. In some ways the ink it produces functions similar to the ink of an octopus ...Discover fascinating facts about these mysterious, intelligent and beautiful animals. Cetaceans – whales, dolphins, and porpoises – are found throughout the world’s oceans, with 90 species worldwide and over 30 species in Canadian waters. We continue to be drawn to these mysterious, intelligent animals who live in cold marine waters – an environment so different … Among the dolphins that are called whales is the short-finned pilot whale. An adult can weigh anywhere from 2,200 to 6,600 pounds (1,000 to 3,000 kilograms) and can measure from 12 to 18 feet (3.7 to 5.5 meters) in length. Finally, the largest dolphin is the killer whale or orca. An adult female orca can weigh in at a whopping 16,500 pounds ... Regarding physical size, an adult humpback whale can grow to an average length of 40-60 ft. long and weigh as much as 44 tons. One of the largest ever recorded humpback whales measured in at 89 ft. long. These … Humpback whales are found in every ocean in the world. Their Latin name, Megaptera novaeangliae, means "big wing of New England." It refers to their giant pectoral fins, which can grow up to 16 ... The truth is that whales sing, and they do it for different reasons. Here are some interesting facts about whales’ songs; 11. Almost All Whales Sing. Whales produce a patterned sequence of sounds known as whale songs. Male humpback whales, known as inveterate composers, are known to be the most active singers.Measuring in at 32 – 38 ft. in length Omura’s whale is one of the smallest whales within the baleen whale species. On average male whales tend to be 6 ft. shorter than their female counterparts. While females can grow to lengths of 32 – 38 ft. the males tend to measure in at around 27 – 33 ft. long. Some researchers believe that these ...
Whales are social, air breathing mammals, they feed their babies with their own milk, and they take extraordinarily good care of their young and teach them life skills. Many of us believe whales are special; they certainly invoke a sense of wonder and a feeling of kinship. There is something almost other-worldly about them.. Prius pro 2023
Learn about the largest animals to have ever existed, their diet, behavior, lifespan, and conservation status. See stunning images of blue whales in their natural habitat and compare their size to a bus. Fast blue whale facts. 1) The largest animals to have ever lived on Earth, blue whales can grow to over 30m long and weigh more than 130,000kg – that’s longer than three buses and heavier than three lorries! 2) Pretty much everything about the blue whale is massive. They're giving up the ghost. Whales will once again be commercially hunted in Japan’s waters, the country’s chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga announced today (Dec. 26). Japan ...The number of teeth a toothed whale has can vary greatly depending on the species. Some whales (such as the narwhal) have only one or two teeth while others species (such as the short-beaked common dolphin) have as many as 240 teeth or more. And other species of toothed whale (such as the sperm whale) may only have rows of teeth on their lower ...A wholphin or wolphin is a dolphin that is born from a bottlenose dolphin mating with a false killer whale. The name “Wholphin” comes from a mixture of the false killer whale and bottlenose dolphin names, however the false killer whale scientifically belongs to the dolphin family. Both the false killer whale and the bottlenose dolphin are ...The cetacean family includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. The Antarctic Blue Whale is the largest animal on our planet; this and many other whale facts have led many to study and wonder about these majestic ocean-dwelling giants. Whales are marine mammals that grow to more than 45 feet long and weigh up to 200 tons.This led to the coming together of various nations to propose the proper conservation of whales. The International Whaling Commission (IWC), which originally started with 15 member states, was founded as the governing body of the ICRW. The Commission now has 89 member states which include whaling, ex-whaling as well as non-whaling countries ...This led to the coming together of various nations to propose the proper conservation of whales. The International Whaling Commission (IWC), which originally started with 15 member states, was founded as the governing body of the ICRW. The Commission now has 89 member states which include whaling, ex-whaling as well as non-whaling countries ...Basic gray whale facts. Length: Up to 49 feet. Weight: 90,000 pounds, more than a fully loaded semitruck. Color: The gray whale was named for the gray patches and white mottling on its dark skin ... Learn about the diversity, adaptations, and behaviors of whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Discover how many types of whales there are, how they feed, and which one is the biggest. Learn about the different types, behaviours, and threats of whales, the largest animals on Earth. Find out how whales use baleen, echolocation, bubble netting, and more to survive and communicate.The killer whale is the largest animal in the dolphin family, with the largest killer whales growing to lengths of over 30 ft. long. In rare instances, a killer whale may mate with a bottlenose dolphin and give birth to a hybrid dolphin known as a wholphin. Killer whales are among the most effective hunters globally and will work as a highly ... Whale Characteristics. Whales are mammals most fully adapted to aquatic life. Their body is a stream-lined shape which allows them to glide gracefully through the water. Their forelimbs are modified into flippers. Their tiny hind limbs are vestigial; they do not attach to the backbone and are hidden within the body. Aug 22, 2023 · Read on to find out 10 incredible whale facts! 1. Whales Are the Biggest Animal in the World. While blue whales are the largest whales, the Antarctic blue whales typically outsize the rest. The largest blue whales can reach lengths of 98 feet! We have to start with the obvious! Whales are indeed the biggest animal in the world. The average life expectancy of a dolphin is 30 years. However, their lifespan can vary from 20 to 50 years, depending on the species and situation. Death can occur due to old age; diseases or parasites; bacterial, fungal, and viral infections; heart disease; respiratory disorders; skin diseases, stomach ulcers, tumors, or urogenital disorders.Without squid, the sperm whale would have a tough time finding food to consume. Flying squid have been observed traveling nearly 100 ft. (30 meters) in the air to avoid attacks from predators or travel long distances while minimizing energy expenditure. Unlike other animals, squid has three hearts. Squid are cephalopods and belong to the order ...Learn about the largest animals to have ever existed, their diet, behavior, lifespan, and conservation status. See stunning images of blue whales in their natural habitat and compare their size to a bus.Mar 21, 2012 · The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is the largest toothed-whale, reaching up to 70 ft (21m) in length and 59 tons (54 metric tons) in weight. The smallest baleen whale is the pygmy right ... 10 Cool whale facts for kids. 1) Did you know that whales, like all mammals, are warm-blooded, produce milk to feed their young, have body hair (only on some species), and require air to survive? 2) While the toothed whale (Odontoceti) only has one blowhole, the baleen whale (Mysticeti) has two. 3) Whales sleep very differently than most ... Whale Sharks 101. Known as the largest fish in the sea, spanning an average length between 18 and 32 feet (5.5-9.8 m), whale sharks (also known by their scientific name, Rhincodon typus) have gained a reputation for being gentle giants. But size isn’t the only distinguishing feature of these aquatic animals..