---
title: "Lion's mane jellyfish vs whale shark — size, weight and speed "
description: "Lion's mane jellyfish and whale shark are near enough identical on length. Compared on 2 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/lions-mane-jellyfish-vs-whale-shark/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Lion's mane jellyfish vs Whale shark

**Lion's mane jellyfish vs whale shark: Near enough equal on length**

Lion's mane jellyfish and whale shark are near enough identical on length.

A lion's mane jellyfish and a whale shark can be compared on 2 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

## Side by side

*Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.*

|  | Lion's mane jellyfish | Whale shark |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Length | 3–37 m | 5.5–18.8 m |
| Typical lifespan | 1 yr | 60–130 yr |

## What the numbers say

- Lion's mane jellyfish and whale shark are near enough identical on length.
- Whale shark is 70× lion's mane jellyfish on typical lifespan.

*Length compared.*

- Lion's mane jellyfish: 3–37 m
- Whale shark: 5.5–18.8 m

## Lion's mane jellyfish

The largest known jellyfish; a specimen washed up in 1870 had tentacles 37 m long.

## 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, lion's mane jellyfish or whale shark?

Lion's mane jellyfish and whale shark are near enough identical on length. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do lion's mane jellyfish and whale sharks compare on typical lifespan?

Lion's mane jellyfish: 1 yr. Whale shark: 60–130 yr. Whale shark is 70× lion's mane jellyfish on typical lifespan.

## Related pages

- [Humpback whale vs whale shark](https://atoneplace.net/vs/humpback-whale-vs-whale-shark/)
- [Sperm whale vs whale shark](https://atoneplace.net/vs/sperm-whale-vs-whale-shark/)
- [Humpback whale vs lion's mane jellyfish](https://atoneplace.net/vs/humpback-whale-vs-lions-mane-jellyfish/)

## Sources

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