The Quest Plush

Despite their name, whale sharks are sharks, not whales. In fact, they’re the biggest fish in the ocean! They do share some similarities with whales, however, including the way they eat by filtering food from the water via large filter pads in their mouth, and their sheer size.

Most whale sharks weigh around 41,000 lb (18,600 kg)—about 20 tons! That’s roughly the same as 4 adult African bull elephants.

Whale shark coloring ranges from a blue-gray to a gray-brown, with a white belly and a constellation of light gray or white spots. Their spot patterns are totally unique to each individual, just like our fingerprints.

Whale sharks are commonly referred to as gentle giants and can even appear playful and curious. While it’s safe to swim with them, it’s still important for any adventurer to keep their distance and not touch wildlife.

Whale sharks currently face threats from accidental entanglement in fishing nets, ingestion of debris in the ocean, boat strikes, and in some instances, opportunistic fishing by humans and unregulated tourism. Each of these contributes to their endangered status on the IUCN Red List.

Like many shark species, whale sharks need to keep moving in order to continue pushing water through their gills to breathe. So while they don’t truly fall asleep, they will rest periodically while drifting on currents and moving along slowly. Like dolphins, they can also allow half of their brains to “sleep” while the other half stays alert and aware of their surroundings.

Whale sharks boast nearly 3,000 tiny teeth! It’s too bad they don’t need to use them, as these giant fish only fill their bellies by filter-feeding some of the ocean’s smallest organisms, including plankton, crustaceans, and small fish.

Whale sharks may be large, but they’re also quite elusive. This makes it tough to determine exactly how many are left in the ocean, though researchers estimate that only around 130,000–200,000 remain.

Wipe with a damp cloth or sponge, using warm water and mild soap. Once dry, brush to restore the plush and proceed with snuggling.

Your plush had quite the long journey to get to you! If it appears squished from lack of legroom during shipping, give it a good fluff to help it return to its normal, cuddly shape. Still need help? Email us at support@myfahlo.com.