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The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish in the world, measuring up to 40' (13 meters). It feeds on plantonic creatures and small fishes, and has only tiny teeth. Like all sharks, it is cartilaginous rather than bony. It is easily identified by its huge size, many spots, and flattish front end. It can be found in tropical waters worldwide, and is sought after by divers visiting Ningaloo Reef in Australia, the Burma Banks near Thailand, and remote islands in the eastern Pacific such as Isla del Coco (Costa Rica) and the Galapagos archipelago (Ecuador). It is generally considered not to be a threat to swimmers and divers. In some parts of the world it is well protected, while in some areas of Melaysia and Indonesia it is hunted (harpooned) for its fins and meat. It is not clear whether it lays eggs (as do many sharks and rays) or bears live young -- recently a pregnant female was harpooned bearing 300 embryos of which 15 were alive. (Reported at the 4th International Aquarium Congress Tokyo, June, 1996 by W.-B. Chang.) Kids may want to read:
Whale Sharks by Anne Welsbacher, Capstone Press; ISBN: 1560652713
Whale Sharks by John F. Prevost, Abdo & Daughters; ISBN: 1562394738 |
See also:
Various Sharks Man and Animal |
| Keywords: whale shark photos, whale, shark, whale shark, Rhincodon typus, photography, photograph, underwater |
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All text and photographs copyright © Phillip Colla Natural History Photography
All rights reserved worldwide. The content of this site is made available for purposes of researching images offered for license by Phillip Colla Natural History Photography. No image is to be copied, duplicated, modified or redistributed in whole or part without the prior written permission of Phillip Colla Natural History Photography. Whale logo is a trademark of Phillip Colla Natural History Photography,
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Updated: May 9, 2008 This epic website is created by The Scientific Programming Group
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