How Big Are the Whale Sharks at Georgia Aquarium

Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is home to four whale sharks, and they are genuinely massive. The largest, a male named Ralph, measures 18 feet long and weighs approximately 13,000 pounds. The other three — Trixie, Norton, and Alice — range from 14 to 17 feet in length and weigh between 8,000 and 12,000 pounds each. To put that in perspective, Ralph is longer than a school bus is wide and weighs as much as four cars.

These are not the largest whale sharks in the world — wild whale sharks can reach 40 feet or more — but they are still among the biggest animals you will see in any aquarium. When you stand in front of the Beluga-Whale Shark Tunnel, which runs through their tank, you are looking at an animal that dwarfs you completely. The tank itself holds 6.3 million gallons of water, and even in that enormous space, the whale sharks' size is unmistakable.

Key Takeaways

  • Ralph, the largest whale shark at Georgia Aquarium, is 18 feet long and weighs about 13,000 pounds.
  • The other three whale sharks range from 14 to 17 feet long and weigh between 8,000 and 12,000 pounds.
  • Whale sharks grow throughout their lives, so the aquarium's sharks may be larger now than when they first arrived.
  • The Beluga-Whale Shark Tunnel lets you view the sharks at close range as they swim overhead and around you.

Why Whale Sharks Keep Growing

Unlike humans, whale sharks never stop growing. They grow slowly — especially in captivity — but they do grow throughout their entire lives. Ralph arrived at Georgia Aquarium in 2006 when he was smaller; the measurements listed above reflect his size after years in the tank. The other three sharks have also grown since their arrivals, though the rate of growth slows as they age.

Growth rate depends on diet, water temperature, and overall health. At Georgia Aquarium, the whale sharks eat a mixture of fish, shrimp, and specially formulated food pellets. They are fed multiple times a day, and the aquarium's nutritionists monitor their health constantly. Even with excellent care, whale sharks in captivity grow more slowly than they would in the wild, where they have unlimited food and space.

Comparing Whale Sharks to Other Large Animals

A whale shark's size is easier to understand when you compare it to animals you know. Ralph at 18 feet is slightly longer than a great white shark, which typically reaches 16 to 20 feet. He weighs about as much as three adult male hippopotamuses. The other whale sharks at Georgia Aquarium are roughly the size of a large saltwater crocodile, which can reach 17 to 20 feet.

What makes whale sharks different from these predators is that they are filter feeders. Despite their enormous size, they eat tiny plankton and small fish — they are not hunting anything. This is why they are generally calm in the tank and why the Beluga-Whale Shark Tunnel is safe for visitors. The sharks are used to human presence and show no aggression.

The Beluga-Whale Shark Tunnel Experience

The best way to understand how big these animals are is to walk through the tunnel. It is a 100-foot-long acrylic tunnel that runs through the middle of the whale shark tank. As you walk through, the sharks swim around you — above your head, beside you, and sometimes directly toward you. The acrylic is thick enough to be completely safe, but it feels like you are standing in the water with them.

The tunnel is part of the larger Beluga-Whale Shark Gallery, which also holds beluga whales. The whale sharks and belugas share the same tank system, though they occupy different areas. The tunnel gives you a perspective you cannot get from standing outside the tank — you see the whale sharks' full body length, their spotted pattern, and the way they move through the water with surprising grace for animals so large.

How Whale Shark Size Affects Their Care

Caring for animals this large requires specialized equipment and informed. Georgia Aquarium's whale shark tank is one of the largest in the world, but even so, the space is finite. The aquarium's veterinarians and animal care staff monitor the sharks' behavior, health, and growth constantly. They use underwater cameras, regular health checks, and behavioral observation to catch any problems early.

The size of the sharks also affects how they are fed. Because they are filter feeders, they cannot be hand-fed like some other aquarium animals. Instead, food is released into the tank in specific areas, and the sharks swim through it with their mouths open, filtering out the water and keeping the food. This feeding method mimics how they eat in the wild and keeps them active and engaged.

What Happens as Whale Sharks Age

Whale sharks in the wild can live 100 years or more, though the exact lifespan is not known because they have never been studied long enough. In captivity, they tend to live shorter lives, though Georgia Aquarium's sharks have lived longer than many whale sharks in other facilities. As they age, they continue to grow, but growth slows dramatically.

The aquarium's staff is constantly learning how to care for these animals better. Ralph has been at Georgia Aquarium for nearly two decades, making him one of the longest-lived whale sharks in captivity. His presence and the presence of the other three sharks have taught marine biologists a great deal about whale shark behavior, health, and development that would be impossible to learn in the wild.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much bigger do whale sharks get than the ones at Georgia Aquarium?

Wild whale sharks can reach 40 to 50 feet long, more than twice the size of Ralph. The largest whale shark ever recorded was around 60 feet. Whale sharks in captivity do not grow as large because the tank space is limited and their diet, while nutritious, is different from what they eat in the ocean.

Can you touch the whale sharks in the tunnel?

No. The acrylic tunnel separates you from the sharks, and touching the glass is not permitted. The barrier protects both the sharks and visitors. The sharks are not aggressive, but they are wild animals, and the separation keeps everyone safe.

Do the whale sharks ever leave the tank?

No. The whale sharks at Georgia Aquarium are permanent residents. They were brought to the aquarium as juveniles and have lived there ever since. The aquarium does not move them or release them into the wild.

Why are whale sharks so much bigger than other fish in the aquarium?

Whale sharks are not fish — they are sharks, which are a type of fish, but they are in a completely different category from the smaller fish in other tanks. They are apex filter feeders, meaning they have no natural predators and can grow to enormous sizes. Their size is an adaptation that helps them process huge amounts of water to find food.

How often do the whale sharks eat?

The whale sharks are fed multiple times a day. The exact feeding schedule varies based on their health and the aquarium's assessment of their needs. The aquarium's nutritionists work with the animal care staff to may support each shark gets the right amount of food to maintain health and support their continued slow growth.