Happy Finn Friday everyone! Today we are learning all about another of my favorite sharks (let’s be honest, basically all of them are my favorite at this point and it’s just rude for anyone to expect me to choose just one when they are all so amazing). Now, this shark also just so happens to be the largest fish on earth. Any guesses as to who we are learning about today? Ok, I’ll put you out of your misery and tell you. It is my pleasure to introduce to you the majestic Whale Shark!
Where do they live?
Whale sharks, like me, prefer the tropics. They can be found in warm, tropical water all over the world.
How long do they live?
On average, Whale sharks live to be around 70 years old.
What do they eat?
Unlike many other sharks, Whale sharks are filter feeders! This means they gulp down lots of water and filter out the tiny little creatures floating around. Their throats are very small, about the size of a quarter, so they can only swallow small prey. Some of their favorite dishes include zooplankton, fish eggs, coral spawn, krill, and small fish (like anchovies or sardines).
What do they like to do?
While their large size (approximately the same length as a school bus!) may make them seem intimidating, Whale sharks are extremely docile creatures. They have even been known to allow swimmers to catch a ride every now and then. While that sounds really cool, I feel like I must stress that you should always be respectful when interacting with wildlife. “Riding” a shark is a form of wildlife harassment and should not take place. It places undue stress on the animal and could potentially put both you and the animal at risk for injury.
Conservation Status:
Unfortunately, like most shark species, the Whale shark is classified as endangered by the IUCN Red List with a decreasing population trend. They have been heavily fished over the past few decades, resulting in this declining population. Their fins, meat, and liver oils are highly prized in some Asian countries. Whale sharks are also often accidental bycatch in industrial fisheries compounding the issue. In many areas they are considered a protected species, so hopefully, with more work, their populations can rebound and become more stable again.
Now for a little Whale shark fun fact. Whale sharks are known for their beautiful spotted patterns, but what you may not know is that each shark has a unique spot pattern! Like human fingerprints, Whale shark spot patterns are able to be used by scientists to distinguish between different individuals! How cool is that?!
Thank you for learning with me today! I hope you now love Whale sharks just as much as I do. What surprised you the most about them? I remember being so shocked to find out that the largest fish on earth ate such tiny little creatures. Nature is just so funny sometimes. I’ll see you all back here Monday for some more science fun!
Sources:
https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/whale-shark
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/w/whale-shark/
https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/animal/whale-shark/
https://oceana.org/marine-life/sharks-rays/whale-shark
https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/rhincodon-typus/
https://www.environment.gov.au/marine/marine-species/sharks/whale-shark
https://www.britannica.com/animal/whale-shark
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/19488/2365291
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