WHALE SHARK 101

 

Donsol Sorsogon is known as the Whale Shark capital of the world.  Hundreds of Whale Sharks congregate in Donsol from January to June to feed on its plankton-rich waters.  These gentle giants of the deep locally known as butanding are the largest fish in the world growing up to 40 feet in length and can weigh up to 15 tons. They thrive in tropical and warm oceans and can live up to about 70 years.   

 

Know more about the Whale Sharks!

 

  • The scientific name of the Whale Shark locally known as butanding is Rhincodon typus.

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  • The Whale Shark is the largest fish in the world growing up to 40 ft. in length and can weigh up to 15 tons. 

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  • They are considered the gentle giants of the deep because despite their overwhelming size, the Whale Sharks feed only on planktons present in the sea, which make them almost completely harmless to humans.

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  • A Scottish zoologist and explorer named Sir Andrew Smith off the coast of South Africa in 1828 discovered the Whale Sharks.

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  • The Whale Sharks thrive in tropical and warm oceans and live in the open seas and can live up to about 70 years. Whale Shark season peaks from February to May or during summer. 

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