Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Rhincodon typus

Rhincodon typus

9.9
A very large, slow shark with spots that eats tiny sea animals near the sea surface
  • noun
  • /rɪŋˈkɒdən ˈtaɪpəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Rhincodon typus
  • In tropical waters, the Rhincodon typus feeds on tiny marine organisms like plankton.

Examples

  • The Rhincodon typus can grow up to 40 feet long and is known for its distinctive spotted pattern.

  • The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest species successfully handled in captivity.

    Academic text (1994)

  • Diving with the Rhincodon typus can be an unforgettable experience due to its gentle nature.

Synonyms

whale shark
vsRhincodon typus
6 3.5

A very large fish with white spots that moves slowly and eats tiny sea animals and plants

is the scientific Latin name used in formal or research contexts

Surface Forms

Rhincodon typus singular
Rhincodon typuses plural

Morphology

Rhincodon + typus

This is a Latin scientific binomial (taxonomic name) rather than a compositional English phrase; the label functions as an identifier and does not form a predictable meaning from its parts. The second element 'typus' is not a common English word and the genus name requires biological knowledge, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would not reliably infer 'whale shark.'

Etymology

Rhincodon typus is the scientific name for the whale shark, a very large, slow shark with a wide mouth that filters tiny plankton. The name points to its whale-like size and feeding style: Rhincodon highlights the shark's shape and mouth, and typus means 'type', so the name helps you remember it is the whale-like 'type' of shark.