Whale Shark
Rhincodon typus
Sighting evidence at Afuera (Whale Shark Aggregation), Isla Mujeres
Photo: Simon Pierce · CC BY-NC
Whale sharks gather here in numbers unmatched anywhere else on Earth, drawn by the mass spawning of little tunny and other pelagic fish that creates protein-dense slicks across the surface. Individual sharks have been photo-identified returning year after year, establishing this as a critical seasonal feeding ground within the broader Gulf of Mexico population. Mature females and sub-adults both attend, making this site essential for understanding reproductive aggregation behaviour.
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.