[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"nav-footer-cache":3,"$wW-RooSUYX":5},{"state":4},"done",{"page":6,"gallery":-1,"breadcrumbPages":30,"islands":38,"faqs":159,"animals":160,"animalLocations":218},{"title":7,"author":8,"image":9,"urlSearch":12,"contents":13,"sections":18,"url":19,"tags":20,"shortDescription":26,"seo":27,"pages":29,"isReviewer":8,"isActive":8,"yearsExperience":8,"jobTitle":8,"languages":8,"specialties":8,"expertMediaSource":8,"destinations":8,"credentials":8},"Whale Shark",null,[10],{"url":11},"https:\u002F\u002Fstorage.googleapis.com\u002Ftravel-web-app-1.appspot.com\u002Fflamelink\u002Fmedia\u002FWhale%20shark%20-%20Canva%20-%20Leonardo%20Lamas.webp?GoogleAccessId=firebase-adminsdk-g2s60%40travel-web-app-1.iam.gserviceaccount.com&Expires=16725243600&Signature=0RhibP%2BERjbQfkK%2B1Pz%2FXerlKbqVdGxkMxw6grPAparMvmi4%2BPpF4KgaG1QqonHgGdhGJ5o80x4f83uvCmQc62bewii9x3dgDg391NI83Y0HV%2BkuR9mL2ErAMORpWvtBwF8ZXUjTVPtqlN0yQAGWJxAGE0fNjvRjdbZigPLZc2I6%2F1UrDcgaox1XbclvRW1V3aE2Z9mQTt%2F9gOuaEIVxIUFZCaJsmxKDS7JqAVjybSOdlpFAqGMUH14rz8mGMz8KI%2Fb9xOd%2FaHy%2B4lAt11wKdtiSofWpYY2UOy1Tk4ZdjPwW6EeizeAdmb8TMCppnqylfcrc9pXDJ2W%2F7M%2BggBPOjg%3D%3D","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.voyagers.travel\u002Fgalapagos\u002Fwildlife\u002Fwhale-shark",[14,16],{"content":15},"\u003Ch2>Essential Information on the Whale Shark\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cp>The Whale Shark, the largest fish in the ocean, can reach up to an impressive 50 feet (16 meters) in length. These creatures inhabit tropical and temperate waters worldwide. As one of only three filter-feeding sharks, their diet mainly consists of plankton, crustaceans, krill, and occasionally small fish. In the Galápagos Islands, Whale Sharks are commonly seen around Darwin Island in the northern part and occasionally near the main islands further south.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>These majestic giants arrive around June and July, migrating to coincide with the Humboldt Current’s arrival in Galápagos waters. This cold, nutrient-rich current flows north from the south, enhancing the local marine environment. Scientists believe Whale Sharks may use the Earth's magnetic fields for navigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>While their exact reason for visiting Galápagos at this time of year remains unclear, it is hypothesized to be linked to their breeding cycles. Despite this, little is known about their reproductive behavior. It is known that female Whale Sharks can carry over 300 eggs!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>The Whale Shark is classified as "vulnerable and endangered" due to threats such as illegal fishing, bycatch, and ship strikes. Consequently, the trade of Whale Shark meat and products is banned, as outlined in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Cp>In Galápagos, diving at Darwin Island provides an exceptional experience. A dive cruise here offers a rare opportunity to see these magnificent, gentle giants up close, making it a highlight of any Galápagos diving adventure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"content":17},"\u003Ch2>Interesting facts\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\u003Cul>\n\t\u003Cli>The white spots on their backs are unique to each Whale Shark, similar to human fingerprints.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\t\u003Cli>Pregnant females account for 98% of Whale Shark sightings.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\t\u003Cli>Whale Sharks navigate to Galápagos by following geomagnetic "routes" in the ocean.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n",[],"whale-shark",[21,22,23,24,25],"Galapagos Animal","Española Island","Floreana Island","Galapagos Fish","Darwin Island","The Whale Shark, the largest fish, grows up to 50ft and feeds on plankton. Seen in Galápagos from June, it's endangered.",{"metaDescription":26,"metaTitle":28},"Whale Sharks in the Galapagos Islands",[],[31,35],{"title":32,"url":33,"active":34},"Galapagos","galapagos",false,{"title":7,"url":36,"active":37},"",true,[39,45,51,57,63,69,75,81,87,93,99,105,111,117,123,129,135,141,147,153],{"location":40,"name":43,"url":44},{"latitude":41,"longitude":42},"-0.3689568108465104","-90.58264379512269","Chinese Hat","chinese-hat",{"location":46,"name":49,"url":50},{"latitude":47,"longitude":48},"-0.36925431206503767","-90.58320446117798","Mosquera","mosquera",{"location":52,"name":55,"url":56},{"latitude":53,"longitude":54},"-0.819612116233147","-90.0648883505048","Santa Fe ","santa-fe",{"location":58,"name":61,"url":62},{"latitude":59,"longitude":60},"-0.28428414579521544","-90.55068045802233","San Cristobal","san-cristobal",{"location":64,"name":67,"url":68},{"latitude":65,"longitude":66},"0.32306604049578064","-89.95844932054936","Genovesa","genovesa",{"location":70,"name":73,"url":74},{"latitude":71,"longitude":72},"0.592311598368876","-90.7625925369088","Pinta","pinta",{"location":76,"name":79,"url":80},{"latitude":77,"longitude":78},"-0.5338741576212347","-90.35122618124942","Santa Cruz","santa-cruz",{"location":82,"name":85,"url":86},{"latitude":83,"longitude":84},"-0.5798459836559603","-90.16114079940787","South Plazas","south-plaza",{"location":88,"name":91,"url":92},{"latitude":89,"longitude":90},"-0.4121264965419725","-91.48270589385952","Fernandina","fernandina",{"location":94,"name":97,"url":98},{"latitude":95,"longitude":96},"-0.41714072233222516","-90.71074845380618","Rabida","rabida",{"location":100,"name":103,"url":104},{"latitude":101,"longitude":102},"-0.45955175970037293","-90.27144100867437","Baltra","baltra",{"location":106,"name":109,"url":110},{"latitude":107,"longitude":108},"1.678725949217468","-92.00403196969751","Darwin","darwin",{"location":112,"name":115,"url":116},{"latitude":113,"longitude":114},"-0.284275124066648","-90.55067143618284","Bartolome","bartolome",{"location":118,"name":121,"url":122},{"latitude":119,"longitude":120},"-0.39590927614796545","-90.28774052193756","North Seymour","north-seymour",{"location":124,"name":127,"url":128},{"latitude":125,"longitude":126},"-0.2615456407569749","-90.71438568518131","Santiago","santiago",{"location":130,"name":133,"url":134},{"latitude":131,"longitude":132},"-1.3758305561030049","-89.6725073921611","Española","espanola",{"location":136,"name":139,"url":140},{"latitude":137,"longitude":138},"0.3186783716142732","-90.46966187676601","Marchena","marchena",{"location":142,"name":145,"url":146},{"latitude":143,"longitude":144},"-0.8277492839940218","-91.13580171287875","Isabela","isabela",{"location":148,"name":151,"url":152},{"latitude":149,"longitude":150},"-0.4230768668060575","-90.3713078072278","Daphne Major","daphne",{"location":154,"name":157,"url":158},{"latitude":155,"longitude":156},"-1.3079970341825036","-90.43115031170304","Floreana","floreana",[],[161,165,173,181,193,202,210],{"tags":162,"title":7,"url":19,"shortDescription":26,"image":163},[21,22,23,24,25],[164],{"url":11},{"tags":166,"title":167,"url":168,"shortDescription":169,"image":170},[21,24,25,22,23],"Sunfish","sunfish","The Galápagos hosts two sunfish species: Mola Mola and Mola Ramsayi, seen year-round during snorkeling and diving trips.",[171],{"url":172},"https:\u002F\u002Fstorage.googleapis.com\u002Ftravel-web-app-1.appspot.com\u002Fflamelink\u002Fmedia\u002FSunfish%20-%20Canva%20-%20mikrus.jpg?GoogleAccessId=firebase-adminsdk-g2s60%40travel-web-app-1.iam.gserviceaccount.com&Expires=16725243600&Signature=gxf4PwTCEesJSTuHWU8Jaz0Tg9YKWpI0rNGO87Xy08mBE6pZhB3Ho5OzMMtqjuIbdDijNrFm%2Bvqhp%2BCsyRykFFLkFpTK7qxECSCHbRuTcRGiVpnEFytoBXgb4Rtw6XQar%2FQigN0r55Tapae1FymGNQWHXsFmwH0PqIXA3txVD5%2FVm33nqdYzI7K95MVV070oyETMllRDZMGfPkmR6vlCJjfXvg4Cz%2Ba%2FKFH7BS2WMcm69XXWOSc7l6WxhPS%2Bu9yeu5lrZyT9g3ToXYpEIoEXqtExgyuVadw1RWBun8yl86ftt%2BR7Wr1TDP649YazYcR8dFGIPaM%2BfVOx%2FL3z31E5mg%3D%3D",{"tags":174,"title":175,"url":176,"shortDescription":177,"image":178},[21,25,24],"Red-lipped Batfish","red-lipped-batfish","Spot the Red-Lipped Batfish on your Galápagos cruise: a unique fish with red lips and a \"walking\" fin adaptation!",[179],{"url":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fstorage.googleapis.com\u002Ftravel-web-app-1.appspot.com\u002Fflamelink\u002Fmedia\u002FRed-lipped%20Batfish%20-%20Canva%20-%20tswinner.jpg?GoogleAccessId=firebase-adminsdk-g2s60%40travel-web-app-1.iam.gserviceaccount.com&Expires=16725243600&Signature=hAfhfqJcQQH8fW%2BfyeWWna88YfaepSviKUq6wjwtg3QtG94DadAFoPWZiv8nYdtHvpe8yFG%2BTQoq1zswfpszP97NvFr5hzlrVB0VlobHEkYtQBQyaWsENRAJI55g9sDRJbXLr5%2FwuRBzABDfuCVU%2BgMyo1p%2BrmrLKkwEj%2FRQ4WSeH8Fw6j9EKdVVIij8Cmof47s%2FzoBvISQaNhFuOn9xE5mWnXBHg2xSGhQyXGXbXSLZr76ooZbnPE223t22paYDQoaXP3SE%2FnRMiYaCjHW7RL1v2WBSh5gphc7plWo8ajJnUlaDRf%2BTtFkRp7OKP1FLN0hGlIfSop2SZAzJeOSyeA%3D%3D",{"tags":182,"title":187,"url":188,"shortDescription":189,"image":190},[21,24,25,22,23,183,184,185,186],"Genovesa Island","Santa Cruz Island","Isabela Island","San Cristobal Island","Whales & Dolphins","whales-dolphins","Cetaceans include whales and dolphins, divided into Baleen (filter feeders) and Toothed (predators) whales.",[191],{"url":192},"https:\u002F\u002Fstorage.googleapis.com\u002Ftravel-web-app-1.appspot.com\u002Fflamelink\u002Fmedia\u002FCommon%20Dolphin%20-%20Canva%20-%20JG1153.jpg?GoogleAccessId=firebase-adminsdk-g2s60%40travel-web-app-1.iam.gserviceaccount.com&Expires=16725243600&Signature=iQ3pb8189FJZqizbm8LL6Anqp%2BPwbSKMC%2FUJm3LxK4fD3FkQl%2FDKQSv2GIf6lywmEA%2FijvRUsaYT2hXIIKSWkblrB19qO72OQ0%2Bml%2FH5FjN6y21Iy%2FNHPTbWV1PKmofZqnimlByycG2AuKgo9G4P%2BF6oPeiNjDuNNBO5XfzIJ6Ej8I39z4asSFyV9GQ1IS7KNq2WiSSt%2BoD7pTnVqK5AKqt0eQao5QxM86fZaUehdWUpQIFfCEC5pTK4tqG%2FClgkK7Ho0420sC1gUh7CQnxiO9kNEpbZ5zqPSkHCMAUJvnwRDWayPAsopzaV9NnsWRtHsn8HkSSu%2FvIoCM3Hbo2aDA%3D%3D",{"tags":194,"title":196,"url":197,"shortDescription":198,"image":199},[21,184,22,195,24,23],"Mosquera Island","Galapagos Sharks","galapagos-sharks","Discover Galápagos sharks including Scalloped Hammerheads, Silky Sharks, Tiger Sharks, and more on an unforgettable cruise adventure",[200],{"url":201},"https:\u002F\u002Fstorage.googleapis.com\u002Ftravel-web-app-1.appspot.com\u002Fflamelink\u002Fmedia\u002FHammerhead%20shark%20-%20Canva%20-%20Sergey%20Novikov.jpg?GoogleAccessId=firebase-adminsdk-g2s60%40travel-web-app-1.iam.gserviceaccount.com&Expires=16725243600&Signature=Lz6w4Dz6ohSzOu5U3PKRkhIIMio%2F841bvAQoYgE9FaN1C%2BafOUkJgNSln3HW4UBlrotWkjpNz7VlwkCZWbxPn6eDzfGcQ6aP7sZBV%2BnBgczwDhIH3oHHVI6Tr6WaD2Yd%2BZcCL%2F5cUEkIY5%2BH3ct1nH6bDuPhn9l9PUcisSRX00%2BqWCqEfQ%2F03At09jG25SBLOoFfTXsBKcWPt6mzd2Z8IUVw1v3feRete8jyg5S7sHtUSqZh%2BHIZiFguoh3CmcqxdtOU328txwUvsnkE8gxNp8IVd6Q6a239n8%2FETxdzao7q7a8eB6Gh6JTWklmYTDpHrHf0wKf9QKAbAmoaZOo%2F2A%3D%3D",{"tags":203,"title":204,"url":205,"shortDescription":206,"image":207},[21,22,23,24],"Mobula Rays","mobula-rays","Explore Galápagos: Dive with curious rays, witness giant manta gatherings, and enjoy snorkeling on our naturalist cruises!",[208],{"url":209},"https:\u002F\u002Fstorage.googleapis.com\u002Ftravel-web-app-1.appspot.com\u002Fflamelink\u002Fmedia\u002FMobula%20Ray%20-%20Canva%20-%20Matt_Potenski.jpg?GoogleAccessId=firebase-adminsdk-g2s60%40travel-web-app-1.iam.gserviceaccount.com&Expires=16725243600&Signature=NgKpW6lNZDvnjqAH05LURnURU5y5etCewpO5swGKBq8I5nAmJw3weax46%2Fie33ynoMI%2BBEqrrOzRHLjnd02tsPSRHRolitfa8g4VABv4TxqirhavTngs7noUyEXYpxlQWExh4WOEcOICO5%2Fas239FNk5QBRT%2FShYgtA0gZeeVzs%2Fi3KesDoqH4zWTB3eKnlIlNg19npLWbc8AzF5zPq9sy5QVmsi73BJMRUdGKURAbH%2FzqjxN1YfKMh4uRldghF27XEaFwT%2B98bG3RA67UaR8LMrC02U1nyR7zqKKYhVRPShmCg7iZ%2Fc5IrglKl6VYRPfgXnSIqnLmGs8liltSdoNg%3D%3D",{"tags":211,"title":212,"url":213,"shortDescription":214,"image":215},[21,24,22,184,23],"Galapagos Sting Rays","galapagos-sting-rays","In the Galápagos, you can spot Golden Rays, Spotted Eagle Rays, and Stingrays while snorkeling, diving, or kayaking.",[216],{"url":217},"https:\u002F\u002Fstorage.googleapis.com\u002Ftravel-web-app-1.appspot.com\u002Fflamelink\u002Fmedia\u002FManta%20ray%20in%20galapagos%20-%20Canva%20-%20schmez.jpg?GoogleAccessId=firebase-adminsdk-g2s60%40travel-web-app-1.iam.gserviceaccount.com&Expires=16725243600&Signature=M7tPfLFOZTTdvi%2BdNgRqfJwtzd9Zj%2BHX2nVggSHyTn8P20Hy7dNaI849mc96lcpWMhvxyhrXVMSEqGcZyAwNhlzkjqlX5Ye10SaOzUJDoodx8z2zdnX9xTxnQMfTlEBlRE%2BDWLWpkILgMKIXewqiYirFOikCfkxSIYC3lBt0KPyWPozkqMhQwMLYPDXXbR87N4rbetCTevc9i50JcB4JMu069rirNnbsUKVffRCF9gzlStZ3pg84hWNU6OHHDOmiPJ43y8K79tm5HxeT62UPWWUpzlvrmr0dl2bcNRESOCwhzosjw%2BX6SlMA2KdFVWW9qz24MZy%2B2eItSdaMqWsiMA%3D%3D",[105,129,153]]