In a breakthrough discovery in the history of marine research, a whale shark with the length of 60 feet was spotted in the Pacific Ocean as a record high of the” largest fish ever” to be recorded in history.
This docile giant, which was seen floating along the water, is longer than an ordinary school-bus, and is putting a strain on past conceptions of the largest size of the species.
The largest fish in the world, the whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), are usually known to grow in length of between 18 and 33 feet, and at maturity they can reach up to 30 feet.
This newly documented individual, however, shatters those benchmarks. The sighting is particularly significant given the challenges of accurately measuring such massive, free-swimming animals, where visual estimates often lead to underestimations.
Being filter feeders, these giant animals are vital to the health of oceans as they are known to consume planktons, small fish, and they therefore help in the regulation of the marine food webs.
Their availability is usually regarded as a decoder of a healthy ecosystem.
This record-breaking discovery not only inspires awe but also provides scientists a rare chance to explore the patterns of growth and biology of these mysterious animals in a way never seen before.
