Photographer: Carlos Aguilera
Code: PBC503599
The Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) is probably the largest fish ever to have existed on Earth, remaining unchanged for about 200 million years. It's estimated to reach a maximum length of 20 meters and live for about 100 years. Feeding on plankton, small fish, shrimp, and squid, it captures prey by swimming slowly with its mouth open. This enormous shark leads a solitary life but migrates annually to feeding or breeding grounds, sometimes gathering in groups of hundreds. After mating, females incubate eggs inside their uterus and give birth to live pups measuring 50 cm: they are therefore ovoviviparous animals. In La Paz Bay, up to 108 individuals have been counted together between November and March, but encounters are possible throughout the year.
The image immortalizes the incredible majesty of the Whale Shark, the gentle giant of the oceans. With its imposing silhouette and harmoniously blending shades of blue, this magnificent marine creature captivates the eyes and captures the essence of oceanic beauty. Its white spots and shades of blue and gray adorn its massive body, making it an extraordinary spectacle of mother nature.
