---
title: "How long does a whale shark last?"
description: "A whale shark lasts 60–130 yr. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/how-long/whale-shark/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How long does a whale shark last?

**Typical lifespan: 60–130 yr**

The largest fish alive, a filter feeder that strains plankton and poses no danger to swimmers.

## How that compares

*Whale shark against things of a similar time.*

- Blue whale: 70–90 yr
- Whale shark: 60–130 yr
- Great white shark: 50–73 yr
- Saltwater crocodile: 65–100 yr
- African elephant: 50–70 yr
- Asian elephant: 48–70 yr
- Sperm whale: 60–70 yr
- Japanese spider crab: 50–100 yr

## What that means over time

*Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.*

| Period | How many you would buy |
| --- | --- |
| Per year | 0.0143 replacements |
| Over 10 years | 1 of them |
| Over a 30-year mortgage | 1 of them |

> Lifespans are medians under ordinary use, not guarantees. Maintenance, how hard it is used, and build quality move individual examples a long way in both directions — which is why the range above is as wide as it is.

## More about a whale shark

- [How much does a whale shark weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/whale-shark/) — 9,000–21,000 kg
- [Whale shark vs Humpback whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/humpback-whale-vs-whale-shark/) — Side by side
- [Whale shark vs Sperm whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/sperm-whale-vs-whale-shark/) — Side by side
- [Whale shark vs Lion's mane jellyfish](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lions-mane-jellyfish-vs-whale-shark/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How long does a whale shark last?

A whale shark lasts 60–130 yr.

## Related pages

- [How much does a whale shark weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/whale-shark/)
- [How long does a blue whale last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/blue-whale/)
- [How long does a great white shark last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/great-white-shark/)
- [How long does a orca last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/orca/)
- [How long does a bottlenose dolphin last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/bottlenose-dolphin/)
- [How long does a humpback whale last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/humpback-whale/)
- [How long does a sperm whale last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/sperm-whale/)
- [How long does a tiger shark last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/tiger-shark/)
- [How long does a walrus last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/walrus/)
- [How long does a emperor penguin last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/emperor-penguin/)
- [How long does a giant Pacific octopus last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/giant-pacific-octopus/)
- [Whale shark vs Humpback whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/humpback-whale-vs-whale-shark/)
- [Whale shark vs Sperm whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/sperm-whale-vs-whale-shark/)
- [Whale shark vs Lion's mane jellyfish](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lions-mane-jellyfish-vs-whale-shark/)

## Sources

- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — NOAA (https://www.noaa.gov/) [Public domain (US Government)]