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Don’t let their name fool you! Despite their enormous size, whale sharks are actually a harmless filter-feeding species of shark. About the size of a school bus with a mouth that’s a meter wide, whale sharks eat by straining small organisms like plankton, schooling fish, and squid from the water.

Whale sharks spend most of their time cruising the open ocean, which means much of their lives remain a mystery. Research on these elusive creatures and their interaction with marine debris is only starting to emerge, but recent findings don’t paint a happy picture for whale sharks.

Whale sharks love to swim in the warmer temperatures found at the surface of the ocean, which means there are unique opportunities for people to get in the water and see these gentle giants up close and personal.

While boat strikes can cause serious and sometimes fatal injuries and irresponsible divers can do things that disrupt their feeding habits, ecotourists that follow proper safety precautions and respect the animals’ boundaries can actually help this endangered species recover.

By showing hunting communities that whale sharks are actually worth more alive, they’re able to change their relationship with these animals and become some of their greatest protectors.