Whale Sharks In Trouble
Why humans should help them live
Description
- The Whale Shark is a mammal.
- This species' special body covering is it's gills.
- With its length being at an average of 41.5 feet, it weighs 30 tons.
- It is the largest member of the fish family.
Adaptations
- The whale shark does not have teeth.
- Feeding by keeping it's mouth open while swimming in a forward motion is yet another one of this species' unique feature .
- By using it's powerful fins, it is capable of swimming up to 50mph (miles per hour)
- Unlike most whales, this species swims alone, not in a group. This leaves it more vulnerable to predators.
- The whale shark has gills to allow it to breathe within the water, and scales work as a shield for the shark.
Reasons for endangerment
- The whale shark's number are lowering from increased hunting, mainly from Alaska and the Philippines.
- Constant water temperature also contributes to the decline of the whale shark population.
- With the constant throwing of garbage into the ocean, the water is becoming polluted. The food chain becomes disrupted because of chemical reactions within the oceans organisms, causing other creatures to become poisoned, eventually leading to a never-ending cycle of poisoning leading to death.
Help us save the Whale Sharks
- People should donate funds to help care for these creatures because they are very unique and interesting to learn about.
- Fundraisers are currently being made to help them and aquariums are adopting whale sharks and taking good care of them.
- Help these animals out by not help them.
Food Chain and Habitat
- The whale shark consumes about 2 tons of fish a day. The main course being Sardines and Bass.
- Its food sources are located within the deep waters.
- The whale shark is known carnivore.
- The whale shark has no known predators.
- It's terrain is in the deep ocean waters.
- The climate is normal temperature water or tropical waters.
Bibliography
Pictures:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Whale_Shark_at_Osaka_Aquarium.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DhUUi3Govlc/Tv511CC3LsI/AAAAAAAAElU/fKf0xzFLn4g/s1600/whale_shark_4.jpg
http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/007/cache/whale-shark_754_600x450.jpg
Websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whale_shark
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/whale-shark/?source=A-to-Z