The largest shark species and the largest fish in the ocean is the whale shark (Rhincodon typus). Adult whale sharks can reach an average length of around 32 feet (10 meters), although there have been reports of individuals measuring up to 40 feet (12 meters) or even more. These enormous creatures can weigh several tons, with the heaviest recorded individual weighing an estimated 47,000 pounds (21,500 kilograms). Whale sharks have a distinctive flattened heads and are filter feeders, primarily consuming plankton and small fish by swimming with their mouths wide open.
It’s worth noting that while the whale shark is the largest shark species in terms of size, it is not the most massive. The title for the heaviest shark goes to the massive predatory shark, the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), which can weigh over 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilograms). However, great white sharks are generally not as long as whale sharks, with average lengths ranging from 13 to 20 feet (4 to 6 meters).