🦈WHALE SHARK🦈
#Whalesharks are the largest fish in the sea, reaching almost 19m! They are one of only three filter-feeding shark species, the others being the megamouth shark and basking shark. They use gill filters to catch plankton, jellies and small fish. #Sharktober
#Whalesharks are the largest fish in the sea, reaching almost 19m! They are one of only three filter-feeding shark species, the others being the megamouth shark and basking shark. They use gill filters to catch plankton, jellies and small fish. #Sharktober
We usually think of filter-feeding as happening automatically as the animal swims with its mouth open, but whale sharks are actually very active hunters. They use active suction to catch small animals near the water's surface. #Sharktober #whaleshark
#Whalesharks typically prefer tropical and temperate open oceans, but their slow migrations often bring them near shore to feed. These aggregation sites, including #SouthAfrica's southern coast, often benefit greatly from #ecotourism as a result of these beautiful visitors.
The #whaleshark's beautiful spots are a form of countershading. People often misinterpret this to mean they have an unknown, giant predator, eg. the extinct #Megalodon. In fact, this camouflage is simply a trait that is beneficial to juvenile whale sharks and kept into adulthood.
Despite their popularity, #whalesharks are actually rare! They only became known to science in 1828, when one was caught in #TableBay (yup, here in #CapeTown), and even #JacquesCousteau only spotted 2. Now we know a more about their habitats and are able to find and protect them!
Little is known about the pupping and mating habits of #whalesharks. They mature very slowly, only at about 25 years, and it is estimated that they can live 100-130 years. They can give birth to about 300 pups, and they are able to stagger these births over a long period of time.
Unfortunately, #whalesharks are #Endangered - their surface-dwelling nature brings them into contact with human activities, and #poaching, boat strikes, bycatch and pollution are all serious risks they face. These risks, coupled with their slow growth are classic risk factors.
💙Whale #sharks are too beautiful, right? We hope you've been enjoying #Sharktober! aquarium.co.za/blog/entry/sha…
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