article_snippet: But now Marine biologist Forrest Galante has hitched a ride on the whale shark, which can grow to more than 44ft long.
article_snippet: Despite the mammoth size of the giant whale shark for a study, Marine biologist Forrest Galante said Marine biologist Forrest Galante had no fears about diving with the creatures, which can live to between 70 and 100 years old in the wild.
article_snippet: Whale sharks can grow as long as 44ft but are not a danger to humans as Whale sharks favor plankton .
article_snippet: I was helping out a team of marine biologists conduct a survey on whale shark population estimates, to identify returning sharks year on year and to see growth rates of individuals. '
article_snippet: Whale sharks can live for between 70 and 100 years in the wild and reach sexual maturity after 30 years .
highlights_snippet: the giant whale shark for a study can grow to 44ft