What is jeff the shark?

Jeff the Shark

Jeff the Shark is a large whale shark who resides at the Georgia Aquarium. He's one of the aquarium's most popular residents and a key part of their ocean conservation efforts.

  • Size and Appearance: Jeff is a sizable whale shark, easily recognizable by his distinctive spot pattern. These spots are unique to each individual, like fingerprints.

  • Diet: As a whale shark, Jeff is a filter feeder. He consumes plankton and other small organisms by swimming with his mouth open and filtering the water. The Georgia Aquarium provides a carefully formulated diet to meet his nutritional needs.

  • Habitat: Jeff lives in the Georgia Aquarium's Ocean Voyager exhibit, which is one of the largest indoor aquatic habitats in the world. This provides him with ample space to swim and interact with other marine life.

  • Importance: Jeff plays an important role in educating the public about whale sharks and the importance of marine ecosystems. He helps raise awareness about the threats faced by these gentle giants in the wild.

  • Conservation Status: Whale sharks are listed as endangered, making Jeff an important ambassador for their species. Aquariums like the Georgia Aquarium contribute to research and conservation efforts to protect whale sharks and their habitats.