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Animal World

Fish, Amphibians, and Reptiles

Is the whale shark a mammal or a fish?

The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a shark, not a whale. It is, therefore, a fish. This species’ name merely indicates that it is the largest of all shark species (weighing 40,000 pounds [18,144 kilograms] or more and growing to lengths of 49 feet [15 meters] or more) and the largest fish species in the world. However, it is completely harmless to humans.



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