Researchers have attached cameras to whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), the world's largest fish, capturing never-before-seen footage of the gentle giants actively chasing krill. The study, published in the journal Ecology on July 24, 2026, used custom-built camera tags to record the sharks' feeding behavior in the waters off Western Australia.
The footage shows whale sharks lunging and turning to pursue dense swarms of krill, contradicting the long-held belief that they are passive filter feeders. 'We were astonished to see them actively hunting,' said lead author Dr. Samantha Reynolds of the University of Western Australia. 'This changes our understanding of their foraging ecology.'
The tags, which detach after a few hours, also recorded data on depth, temperature, and acceleration. The researchers found that the sharks spent up to 30% of their time in active pursuit of prey, often diving to depths of 50 meters or more to follow krill patches.
Conservationists say the findings have implications for protecting whale sharks, which are listed as endangered by the IUCN. 'Understanding their feeding behavior helps us identify critical habitats that need protection,' said co-author Dr. Mark Meekan of the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
