The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a plankton-eating shark which is the largest fish species. This shark got its name (English: whale shark) because of its large body size and its feeding habits by filtering sea water, resembling most types of whales. It is also called the shark shark (from Javanese: starry back) and the spotted shark (a name that tends to be misleading, because many types of shark have spotted patterns), referring to the color pattern on its spotted back, similar to the stars in the sky. This shark roams tropical oceans and seas with warm climates, and can live up to 70 years old. This species is believed to have originated around 60 million years ago.

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