whalesharks

The whale shark Rhincodon typus is a species of carpet shark and the largest nonmammalian vertebrate. It is the largest living species of fish, with a maximum recorded length of 21.5 meters (71 ft) and weight of 33.8 short tons (30.7 t). Whale sharks are found in tropical and warm-temperate seas and are plankton feeders. Their diet consists primarily of plankton, krill, fish eggs, and small fish. They are filter feeders, using their large mouths to strain food from the water. Despite their immense size, whale sharks are docile and pose no threat to humans. They are often seen swimming slowly near the surface of the water. Whale sharks have distinctive patterns of white spots and stripes on their dark gray or brown bodies, which are unique to each individual, similar to fingerprints. These markings help with camouflage and may also play a role in species recognition. Whale sharks are ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth to live young that have developed from eggs within the mother's body. Reproduction is thought to be slow, with females potentially carrying hundreds of pups at a time. These sharks are found in all tropical oceans, except in the eastern Pacific, where they are absent. They typically inhabit open seas but are also found in shallow coastal waters. Due to their slow swimming speed and gentle nature, whale sharks are popular subjects for ecotourism, particularly in countries like the Philippines, Australia, and Mexico. However, they face threats from fishing, bycatch, and habitat degradation. Conservation efforts are underway to protect whale shark populations and their habitats.