VIDEO: Whale shark spotted in Dubai Marina

The majestic creatures can reach lengths of up to 12 metres, and one was spotted in the waters of Dubai Marina today. 

A whale shark was spotted swimming in Dubai Marina’s waters on Friday afternoon, giving onlookers quite the surprise.

In this video posted on Twitter you can see the shark navigating the waters just below one of the suburb’s pedestrian walkways.

Whale Shark chilling at Dubai Marina pic.twitter.com/GY4fOtvh5l

— Khalid | خالد (@kharta3) August 27, 2015

The below photo of the shark was also posted on Facebook:

While intimidatingly large – they can reach lengths of up to 12 metres, the same length as a large school bus – whale sharks are actually harmless, eating plankton rather than people.

Have you spotted the shark in Dubai today? If so, tweet us @WhatsOnDubai with info.

In fact, this particular shark is a social media savvy, and has already set up its own Twitter account:

I’m so bloody lost

— Dubai Marina Shark (@dxbmarinashark) August 27, 2015

.@MartyFullardUAE No, they had trouble taking my finger prints. @EmiratesIDUAE @EmiratesID_HELP

— Dubai Marina Shark (@dxbmarinashark) August 27, 2015

And while we’re all welcome to follow the rising star of a shark on Twitter, Emirates Diving UAE has asked people to leave the shark alone if spotted, as it will likely be able to make its way out of the Marina waters on its own:

Third #whaleshark spotted in the Marina. Let them be though as they do find their way out on their own. #dubai #MyUAE pic.twitter.com/xOBYVZ8Tuf

— Emirates Diving UAE (@EDA_UAE) August 27, 2015

The sharks are hard to track for definitive research, although it’s believed the females tend to travel to the Arabian Gulf to give birth.

The aquarium at The Atlantis famously held Sammy The Whale Shark for 18 months, before freeing him in 2010.

Sadly, a five-metre juvenile whale shark was found washed ashore in Abu Dhabi in November 2013. It died after getting tangled up in a fishing net.

Here’s a photo that gives you a sense of just how huge the world’s largest fish really is:

WHALE SHARK FACTS

– The pattern of spots around the shark’s gill are unique to each individual, similar to our fingerprints.

– A whale shark’s mouth is over a metre wide.

– Their only known predator is humans.

– They live for over 70 years.

– More
–  Are you brave enough to try the Seabreacher?
– Scuba diving in Dubai
– Complete guide to watersports in Dubai