Whale Sharks

About Whale shark:

• It is the largest fish in the world and the largest fish known to have lived on this planet.
• They are one of only three species of filter feeding sharks.
• Distribution: They can be found in all temperate and tropical oceans around the world, except the Mediterranean Sea.
• Appearance
  • They are dark gray on top and light underneath, with a series of light spots or stripes covering the dark parts of their bodies. This helps to camouflage them as they swim.
  • Unlike most shark species, its mouth is located at the front of the head (terminal) instead of the underside of the rostrum (subterminal).
  • They are filter feeders and can neither bite nor chew. They can process more than 6,000 litres of water an hour through their gills. 
  • Inside the mouth are specialized flaps called velums. These stop the backflow of water as the whale shark closes its mouth, preventing the loss of food.
• Food Habit: They feed on plankton and travel large distances to find enough food to sustain their huge size, and to reproduce.
• They also eat small and large fish and mollusks, including sardines, anchovies, mackerels, squid, and even small tuna and albacore.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Endangered
  • Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule I
• Threats: The whale sharks continue to face challenges primarily due to bycatch and accidental capture in fishing nets, illegal hunting and habitat degradation.
• A global study indicates that over the past 75 years, the world’s whale shark population has decreased by 50%.

Q1: What are Cetaceans?

Cetaceans are a group of marine mammals that include whales, dolphins, and porpoises. They are well-adapted to life in aquatic environments and have a variety of unique features that enable them to thrive in the ocean.

Source: International Whale Shark Day: Saving the gentle giants of the sea along the Indian coast