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Whale Shark Spotted Swimming Along Florida's East Coast

A whale shark was spotted off the coast of Stuart, Florida, on January 17.

A photographer with Single Fin Photo captured this footage of the filter-feeder shark calmly swimming near Stuart. Single Fin Photo said the shark was estimated to be about 30 feet long and was swimming about 600 feet from the beach.

“This morning was quite incredible, biggest fish in the sea decided it was time to cruise past the shore,” Single Fin Photo said on Instagram.

Whale sharks, the largest species of sharks, only eat microscopic plankton. The docile fish can grow to more than 40 feet long and weigh over a ton, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The fish usually migrate to the Caribbean in the winter, according to reports. Credit: Single Fin Photo via Storyful