I was astonished by this behavior-it was much more mammalian than fishy. Later I was told that this is pretty typical. Frequently, whale sharks seem completely unafraid of divers, most unusual behavior for a fish, although not unusual for cetaceans such as dolphins. Since this encounter, like many other divers, I have developed a passion for whale sharks. By 1986, there had been only 320 reported sightings, world-wide.
Whale sharks are the largest of the living fishes.
One caught in the Gulf of Thailand in 1925 was estimated to be 18 meters long. The largest one that has been accurately measured was caught off India in l983 and measured 12.2 meters. Others have been estimated to be between 12 and 15 meters long. Beside size, they are easily distinguishable by the pale dash and dot pattern on their dark upper surfaces and sides. Their undersides are nearly white.