Description: The
enormous Whale Shark is the largest
fish in the world. Its mouth alone
can measure five feet wide and
has hundreds of rows of small teeth
(which are actually useless). The
head of the Whale Shark is massive
and flat.
The Whale Shark is dark gray above
with three ridges running along each
side of the body. The shark's underparts
are white. The body is covered in
a checkerboard pattern of white and
yellow spots. These patterns are
unique to each individual and aid
in identification. In addition, the
Whale Shark has two pairs of pectoral
fins and two pairs of dorsal fins.
Its skin can be up to four inches
thick.
The
Whale Shark can measure up to 40
feet in length and weigh up to
20 tons. Many unconfirmed reports
have told of much larger Whale
Sharks. Because of their massive
size, Whale Sharks are inefficient
swimmers and usually travel at
speeds of about three miles per
hour.
Diet: Despite
its huge size, the Whale Shark
is strictly a filter feeder. It
gulps huge quantities of water
and filters it out through its
gills. The remaining plankton,
krill, and squid are consumed.
They are harmless to humans.
Range/Habitat: The
Whale Shark is found throughout
the world's tropical and warm-temperate
oceans. It is found both close
to shore and far out in the ocean.
Highest concentrations of Whale
Sharks are thought to be off the
coast of the Philippines. The Whale
Shark can dive to depths of at
least 2,300 feet. There are several
individual Whale Sharks currently
in captivity, four at the Georgia
Aquarium in Atlanta, and four more
in several Japanese aquariums.
Populations of Whale Sharks in
the wild are unknown; though the
species is officially classified
as "vulnerable".
Reproduction: Very
little in known about Whale Shark
reproduction. Whale Sharks have
recently been shown to be ovoviviparous
(organisms in which the young develop
in eggs within the mother's body).
Females give birth to live young
that are almost two feet in length.
Scientists believe it takes thirty
years for a female to reach reproductive
maturity. Whale Sharks are thought
to live from 70-180 years.
