How big can sharks grow?

The largest shark, a whale shark grows to a length of 60 feet or more and can weigh as much as 20 tons. Whale sharks are not only the biggest shark in the world but also the biggest fish.

Whale sharks are not in a any way related to whales, but they were named after them because of their size. These huge creatures feed on plankton, small crustaceans and small fish they filter from the water. Whale sharks have white bellies and a unique pattern of stripes and white dots on their dark blue or brown backs. Whale sharks don't attack swimmers, divers or snorkelers; however, they have been known to attack or bump boats.