Google Custom Search
Monday, September 06, 2010
Whale Shark

Whale Shark

Rhincodon typus , Whale Shark

Overview

Whale Shark - 18.1 KB
Whale shark in Okinawa's aquarium.

The whale shark is the world's largest living shark and fish.

The whale shark grows up to 14 m (46 ft) and weighs up to 15 tons, however most whale sharks grow to about 7.6 m (25 ft).  It has a mouth about 1.4 m (4 ft) wide.  The whale shark's skin is grey and decorated with pale yellow dots and stripes.  Their skin is one of the thickest in the animal kingdom and can be up to  15.24 cm (6 inches) thick.

The whale shark's diet consists of plankton, krill, small fish and squid.


Trivia

Two Whale Sharks - 43.8 KB
Whale sharks at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. By: Blue Lotus
  • The whale shark is not a whale, it is a shark
  • The whale shark is the largest living shark and fish
  • Despite their large size and huge mouth, whale sharks are not dangerous to people and usually ignore divers swimming next to them

 


Other Images

Whale Shark Image 2 - 32.3 KB
Whale Shark at Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa 2007.


Copyright © 2005-2010 animalpedia.com. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy