Whale shark
Rhincodon typus
Sighting evidence at The Shelf, Gladden Spit
Photo: Simon Pierce · CC BY-NC
Whale sharks appear at Gladden Spit during the March-to-June full moons specifically to feed on the clouds of fish spawn released by aggregating snapper. They are filter feeders, engulfing the fertilised eggs with wide-open mouths at the surface and mid-water. Individuals are identified by their unique spot patterns and several have been photo-ID matched across the Caribbean. This site is considered one of the most reliable land-based whale shark encounters in the western hemisphere.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Whale shark is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.