Whale shark

An Endangered species and the focus of the Galápagos Whale Shark Project research supported by GSD.

Rhincodon typus

Identification.

Individual whale sharks can be distinguished through the spot pattern behind the gills when identification photographs are suitable for matching.

Galápagos context.

Darwin Island is part of the verified GSD northern circuit and the principal context for GSD whale-shark research participation.

Encounter context.

Wild animals in open ocean. Encounters are never guaranteed.

Seasonality.

Whale sharks are seen at Darwin Island from June to October.

Photo identification

A pattern that can identify an individual.

Suitable photographs of the spot pattern behind the gills can be compared through Sharkbook.ai. Submission is a contribution step; it does not by itself mean a match or an accepted research record.

Individual records.

No verified individual whale-shark profiles have been supplied for public display. The site will add them only when legitimate identification and sighting records are available.