Behind the scene

How to identify a whale shark

Identification areas

It is possible to identify individual whale sharks using natural patterning and/or scarring. An area behind the gill slits (left side) has been selected as a standard location for the identification of the whale shark.

When photographs of patterning on the sides of each shark or special scar pictures are present and verified, they will be added into the online photo Identification library.

You are welcome to add your own pictures into the regional Maldives whale shark Identification library. In this case please contact your local dive-school.