The Whale Shark
(Rhincodon Typus)
The whale shark is the world's largest fish, and as if in some strange paradox, it feeds on the smallest of things, plankton ( although fish as large as mackeral can meet it's demise in this sharks large mouth). It can frequently be found in tropical lagoons, where it can be viewed by snorkelers and divers (although it has been said that they spook at divers' bubbles)This shark can grow to lengths of fifty feet or more. It has a stout body, a broad, flat head, and a truncated snout. It's jaws house up to 300 rows of tiny teeth. Thr are two dorsal fins, lateral ridges on the trunk and tail, and a cresent shaped caudal fin. It's coloring is either grey, blue or brown, and it's underside is white. Light spots and vertical and horizontal lines create a checkerboard pattern.
Reproduction: Known to be ovoviviparous, producing huge litters of up to 300 young.
Despite it's size, this shark is harmless to humans
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The whale shark is the world's largest fish, and as if in some strange paradox, it feeds on the smallest of things, plankton ( although fish as large as mackeral can meet it's demise in this sharks large mouth). It can frequently be found in tropical lagoons, where it can be viewed by snorkelers and divers (although it has been said that they spook at divers' bubbles)This shark can grow to lengths of fifty feet or more. It has a stout body, a broad, flat head, and a truncated snout. It's jaws house up to 300 rows of tiny teeth. Thr are two dorsal fins, lateral ridges on the trunk and tail, and a cresent shaped caudal fin. It's coloring is either grey, blue or brown, and it's underside is white. Light spots and vertical and horizontal lines create a checkerboard pattern.
Reproduction: Known to be ovoviviparous, producing huge litters of up to 300 young.
Despite it's size, this shark is harmless to humans
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