Whale Shark
~Animal of the Arctic~
Description
- Largest fish in the sea (40 ft)
- Plankton (fav. meal)
- Flat head & blunt snout above mouth
- Continued to be hunted in Asia (Philippines)
- Friendly
- Dives into the deep (700 meters)
Food Chains
ANIMALS WHO EAT THEM:
- Blue Marlin
- Blue Shark
ANIMALS THEY FEED ON:
- Zoo Plankton (1mm)
- Small Crustaceans
- Schooling Fishes
- Small Tuna
- Squid
Threats:
- -Taiwan/ China
whale shark 30 miles south of pascagoula pt. 2
Adaption
- Migrate often
- Visit Ningaloo Reef, Australia = immature males
- observe swiffing fish = feed by opening mouth
- some in warm waters/ some in cold
- shallow & deep
- feed by opening mouth (stay in an area & let fish swim in)
Endangerment and Critical Information
- Flesh have been sold in Asian markets
- Shy of tourist
Whale shark, surfing shallow
photo from creative commons
Whale shark, swimming along with smaller fishes
photo from creative commons
Here's one up close
photo from creative commons