Female whale sharks grow slower yet larger than males

A new study that tracked the development of whale sharks over ten years has produced the first evidence that males and females of this species develop differently. The investigation revealed that even though the male sharks grow at a faster rate, the females ultimately outgrow them.  The research, published by Frontiers, shows that male whale sharks grow at a faster rate, but their body development plateaus around the time they reach 8 or 9 meters. The female sharks develop more slowly, gradually reaching an average length …