Foot whale shark named Larry has been tracked for 335 days, giving scientists a rare look at where giants roam

Larry the whale shark has provided researchers with an unusually long window into the roaming patterns of these giants, as a satellite tag has continued transmitting for 335 days. The 26-foot shark was tagged near Tampa Bay in May 2025, and has since moved through waters near Cuba and Honduras before heading back toward Florida, offering a rare view into Gulf of Mexico movements. The tag has logged more than 6,200 data points, tracing a route from Florida to Cuba and Honduras and back to offshore waters near Homosassa. NOAA biologist Eric Hoffmayer noted the species’ tiny teeth and filter-feeding method, while Florida researchers highlight the value of surface-time data for management.

Tracking from Larry is helping shape marine management approaches that protect whale sharks in busy boating zones while preserving Florida communities’ reliance on local waters. The data suggest whale sharks may spend up to 60% of their time near the surface, increasing exposure to human activity and vessel traffic, a factor scientists say could influence future protections and policy decisions in the Gulf.