Humpback whale vs Whale shark
Humpback whale vs whale shark
Humpback whale is larger on weight
Humpback whale is 2× whale shark on weight.
A humpback whale and a whale shark can be compared on 3 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.
Side by side
| Humpback whale | Whale shark | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 25–40 t | 9,000–21,000 kg |
| Length | 12–17 m | 5.5–18.8 m |
| Typical lifespan | 45–100 yr | 60–130 yr |
What the numbers say
- Humpback whale is 2× whale shark on weight.
- Humpback whale is somewhat greater than whale shark on length — about 1.4×.
- Whale shark is somewhat greater than humpback whale on typical lifespan — about 1.4×.
Weight compared.
Humpback whale 25–40 t
Whale shark 9,000–21,000 kg
Humpback whale
A baleen whale known for breaching, long complex songs, and pectoral fins a third of its body length.
Whale shark
The largest fish alive, a filter feeder that strains plankton and poses no danger to swimmers.
This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.
Common questions
- Which is bigger, humpback whale or whale shark?
- Humpback whale is 2× whale shark on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
- How do humpback whales and whale sharks compare on length?
- Humpback whale: 12–17 m. Whale shark: 5.5–18.8 m. Humpback whale is somewhat greater than whale shark on length — about 1.4×.
- How do humpback whales and whale sharks compare on typical lifespan?
- Humpback whale: 45–100 yr. Whale shark: 60–130 yr. Whale shark is somewhat greater than humpback whale on typical lifespan — about 1.4×.
Related pages
Sources
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — NOAA (Public domain (US Government))