Every whale shark has a unique constellation of spots that can be used to identify different individuals. A few years ago, researchers adapted a NASA algorithm, used to study star patterns, into a program that can compare and ID whale shark spots. Now, anyone who spots a whale shark can upload a photo to the database, called WildBook for Sharks. Despite the fact that they can grow to be school bus-sized, whale sharks are elusive, so this dataset has been really helpful for marine biologists tryi

Every whale shark has a unique pattern of spots and lines, much like human fingerprints. 🎥: Jono Allen Photography Shark researchers adapted a NASA algorithm (used to identify star patterns in images) to identify whale sharks by their spots, which form their own kind of constellation. Taking something from an entirely separate field of science - astronomy - and applying it to biology has been extremely useful for researchers studying and protecting the world’s largest fish. | Ocean Conservation