Whale Shark
Rhincodon typus
Sighting evidence at El Planchón, Gorgona Island
Photo: Simon Pierce · CC BY-NC
Whale sharks visit El Planchón from June through November, drawn by the dense plankton blooms that accumulate above the seamount plateau during upwelling season. Individuals here often exceed 8 metres in length and are typically observed feeding at or just below the surface before descending to glide along the seamount walls. The Colombian Pacific is an important corridor for whale shark movements between the Galapagos and Central American aggregation sites.
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.