The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest living fish species and is known for its massive size and distinctive appearance.

They can grow up to lengths of around 40 feet on average, although some individuals have been reported to reach lengths of over 60 feet.

The impressive shark has a flattened head with a wide mouth that can be up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) wide. The skin is marked with a unique pattern of pale yellow spots and stripes on a dark background, which is often used for individual identification.

Despite their enormous size, whale sharks are filter feeders. They feed primarily on plankton, small fish, and other microscopic organisms. They swim with their mouths wide open, filtering large volumes of water to extract their food.

The sublime sharks are generally solitary animals, but they can be found in groups during certain times, especially when food is abundant. They are known for their slow and peaceful swimming behavior.

Whale sharks are found in tropical and warm-temperate seas. They are commonly spotted in open waters, but they can also be found near the coast.

This magnificent shark has been spotted in Costa Rica on both the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, although a substantial number of individuals have been discovered in the Cocos Island maritime area.

The National Park of Cocos Island is located approximately 297 nautical miles southwest of Puntarenas Province. It is renowned as the island of sharks because it is one of the few refuges in the world where the whale shark, among many shark species, may still be witnessed.

The island was designated a World Heritage Site in 1997 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The island maritime zone is home to many species of sharks. "The seamounts, islets, and bays of the island represent essential habitats (areas for feeding, resting, cleaning, copulation) for the different shark species," explained the Friends of Cocos Island Foundation (Faico).

 

Faico was created in 1994 to channel and execute human, technical, and financial resources to contribute to the effective management of the Cocos Marine Conservation Area and the surrounding and essential ecosystems of the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

The foundation experts have identified at least 14 shark species encountered in the island's marine area, in addition to the whale shark, such as the common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus), silvertip shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus), silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis), Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis), blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus), tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), pacific sharp nose shark (Rhizoprionodon longurio), whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus), prickly shark (Echinorhinus cookei), nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum), smalltooth sand tiger shark (Odontaspis ferox), scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), and great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran).

The main threats to sharks, including the whale shark, are illegal fishing and over fishing. "Several key species of the reefs of the island have global populations that are already depleted, and the effects of fishing anywhere in the world affect the sustainability of these species. Tens of millions of sharks and rays are killed each year due to targeted fishing, as a result of by-catch in fisheries targeting other species or discarded as unwanted bycatch," the foundation noted.

Whale sharks are listed as "Vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. They face threats from various human activities, such as ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and the demand for their fins, meat, and products.

Whale shark tourism is popular in some regions where these animals are known to aggregate. However, it's important to manage such tourism carefully to minimize potential negative impacts on the whale sharks and their environment.

Understanding and conserving whale sharks is crucial not only for the health of their populations but also for maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems in which they play a significant role.

Another impressive marine creature spotted in Costa Rica is the manatee. They were given the nickname "sea cow" because they graze around the seafloor and consume seagrasses.

The Wild Costa Rica page is a space for readers to discover more about the fascinating species that make the Pura Vida land one of the world's countries with the richest natural diversity.

 

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