Why don't whale sharks live in the Mediterranean sea?

Whale sharks prefer warm, tropical waters, typically found in open oceans where food sources like plankton are abundant. The Mediterranean Sea, being a semi-enclosed body of water, has a different temperature and salinity profile that is less conducive to their survival. Additionally, the Mediterranean lacks the sufficient nutrient upwellings that attract these filter-feeding giants. As a result, their natural habitat and feeding conditions are not met in this region.