Whale sharks have very acute vision, so zoologists speculate that the patterns may help individuals to recognize each other. They may also protect against harmful ultraviolet radiation during the sharks 'frequent activities close to the surface.
由於鯨鯊具有非常高解析度的視力，學界猜測，斑點可能是牠們用來互相辨認的工具；此外，鯨鯊常接近海面活動，斑點也應該具有避免紫外線輻射傷害的功能。