Featured Image Credit: Unsplash
By: Sarah Sharkey
We always knew that whale sharks were big fish. In fact, they are the biggest fish in the sea. However, until recently scientists were unaware just how large these magnificent creatures could be.
Previously, researchers thought that whale sharks grew to a size between 18 and 40 feet. The range of measurements was established by measuring the vertebrate of deceased animals. The limited number of skeletons to measure led scientists to believe that this was a maximum length of these sharks.
However, after a group of researchers in the Maldives measured live free-swimming whale sharks over the course of ten years and found that the animals were quite larger than the original estimate. These majestic creatures can actually grow between 50 and 62 feet long! Much longer than originally thought!
The same study also concluded that whale sharks live longer than scientists originally hypothesized. Instead of the original estimate of 70 years, it was found that the sharks actually live to a ripe old age between 100 and 130.
The long-term efforts of these scientists were responsible for allowing us to learn more about these elusive creatures. The study also highlighted the fact that we still know so little about these animals. The continued investigation of the life cycle of these animals is a crucial component of the conservation efforts to protect the biggest fish in the sea.
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