What is the largest species of shark by total length?

The whale shark is the largest shark species by total length.

Despite its size, the whale shark is a filter feeder rather than an active hunter of large prey. It usually strains plankton, small fish, fish eggs, and other tiny organisms from seawater while swimming with its mouth open. Its broad, flattened head and distinctive checkerboard pattern make it recognizable.

Whale sharks are fish, not whales. The name refers to their enormous size and their generally gentle, plankton-eating behavior. They have cartilage rather than bone, as do all sharks, and they breathe through gills.

The species is found in warm and tropical oceans worldwide. Individual whale sharks can travel long distances, and some feeding areas attract seasonal gatherings. Their exact maximum size is difficult to verify because very large specimens are rarely measured under controlled conditions.