The Whale Shark is the largest fish in the ocean. It is considered as the most friendly of sharks and is harmless to humans. Whale Sharks feed on Plankton and small fish and can be easily seen feeding on the surface of the water. The Whale Shark is a slow mover, swimming at approximately 5km/h at top speed. Due to them being slow movers and surface feeders they are extremely easy to catch and are unfortunately still actively fished in the waters off Taiwan. Whale Sharks are fished for their liver oil for waterproofing and their Fins and meat for food as a delicacy.
Whale Sharks have been held successfully in an aquarium in Japan but special conditions and Dietary needs fortunately make it very difficult for most aquariums to house these sharks.
Whale Sharks are massive in size. They can be a brown, blue-grey or dark grey colour with creamy white spots covering its back and a white underside. It has a flat and very wide mouth (1.5m / 5ft) which is used for drawing in up to 1500 gallons of water per hour when feeding. The Whale Shark filters plankton through its Gill Rakers and any fish drawn in are eaten.
The Whale Shark is harmless and is very curious and often swims up to divers or snorkellers that are diving in their waters.
The female gives birth to approximately 300 pups max and they are approximately 60cm / 23in in length and grow up to 18m / 59ft.
Danger to Humans?
NO RISK
Whale Sharks are consideredno risk to dive with. Whale Sharks tend to swim on the surface of the water and can be easily spotted. Divers can dive or snorkel alongside the Whale Shark without risk. Divers are instructed not to harass the Whale Shark though because if it feels threatened it will dive down. They are curious sharks and often approach divers to take a close look at them.
Where to see a Whale Shark
The Whale Shark is most commonly present in warm Temperate to Tropical waters. Whale Sharks also enter bays and often come close to the shoreline. They are found in waters as deep as 250m / 820ft. The Whale Shark roams in open ocean and in coastal waters and bays. Whale Sharks can be seen in the Philippines, Seychelles, Australia, USA, Belize, Honduras, Ecuador, Cuba, Mozambique, Tanzania, South Africa, Thailand and the Maldives. They have been tracked down to depths of 250m / 820ft
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