Wild kids

Common name: Whale Shark
Scientific name: Rhincodon typus
Photo: Copyright Roger Steene/imagequestmarine.com

Sharks

Whale Shark

Whale Sharks live in the surface waters of tropical seas. They can be found close to the coast and out in the ocean.

Whale Sharks are very gentle fish and are not considered dangerous.

Whale Sharks eat plankton, tiny shrimps and small bony fishes. They are filter feeders.

Whale Sharks have thousands of tiny hooked teeth in over 300 rows. These are not used to chew or bite food.

Whale Sharks catch their food by swimming with their mouth open and inhaling water and food into their mouth. They then strain out their food and drain the water out through their gills.

Whale Sharks have been accurately measured at lengths of 12 m, however, estimates of some sharks have indicated they could be 18 m long.

Whale Sharks are thought to give birth to live young, but not much is known about their reproduction.

Whale Sharks are harmless.