 WHALE SHARK SIZE, AGE & GROWTH
The whale shark is the largest living fish. Maximum size is thought to be 20m. The smallest free-living individuals are from 55cm (21.7 inches) long. Sexual maturity in both sexes may not occur until the sharks are over 9m in length. Age estimates for whale sharks are as high as 60 years, but no one really knows how long this species lives.
A) Lateral and apical views of dermal denticle (about 75x)
B) dermal denticles (about 35x),
Prepared by:
Carol Martins & Craig Knickle
Material courtesy of the
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