Why are whale sharks different?
Whale sharks are the largest fish to be identified and can grow up to 10 metres in length. They consume a wide variety of sea animals and planktons in a rather interesting manner. They just keep their mouths wide open and scoop the tiny plants and fishes as they move close to the surface of water.
The whale shark belongs to the category of filter feeders, just like the world's second largest fish, the basking shark. This means that their huge jaws filter everything it comes across, to find its food. This mechanism is similar to that of the baleen whales, where too, a cross-flow filtration is observed. These giants prefer warm waters and are found in all tropical seas. They also migrate to the continental shelf of the central west coast of Australia during the spring season. During this time, the coral spawning of the Ningaloo Reef of this region provides the whale shark with plenty of plankton to feed on.
Although whale sharks are massive, they are very docile. They even allow swimmers to hitch a ride at times! Currently listed as a vulnerable species, these animals face the threat of hunting, as in some parts of Asia, people continue to hunt them.
Picture Credit : Google