It is the largest fish in the ocean, belonging to the order Chondrichthyiformes and the family Characidae. The name comes from its enormous size and whale like appearance. It can grow to over 12 meters and weigh around 20 tons. Mild mannered individuals typically feed on plankton, small fish, and small crustaceans, filtering seawater through their large mouths to obtain food, hence also known as the 'vacuum cleaner of the ocean'. Widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters, prefers warm waters, and often appears near coral reefs. It is a migratory animal that travels long distances. Despite their large size, whale sharks do not pose a threat to humans and usually avoid them.