The whale shark is one of the largest animals in the world and one of the carnivorous animals that is not exempt from threats of extinction. Illegal fishing, pollution of the sea and the traffic of unsustainable tourist boats are some of the actions that are putting the survival of this species at risk, that poses no danger to humans
Below, we explain everything you need to know about the whale shark, the most docile carnivorous animal on the planet, in order to make you aware of its necessary protection.
What is the whale shark like?
The Whale shark is the world's largest fish and can measure up to 12 meters long and weigh more than 34 tons. We point out that it is the largest fish because the prize for the largest animal goes to the blue whale, which is not a fish, but a cetacean.
The whale shark usually lives in the oceans and seas closest to the tropics, although some specimens have been found in cold waters. usually swims in deep waters, although on some occasions a specimen has been sighted near the coast.
According to the International Organization for Marine Conservation, the largest fish on the planet has a long body and a broad, flat head Its head ends in a huge mouth without teeth. His eyes are small and positioned on the lateral ends of his head. His skin is gray and shows white streaks and spots.
Is the whale shark aggressive towards humans?
Its appearance is ferocious, although nothing could be further from the truth, since e you can swim next to it without suffering any risk Even on Isla Mujeres, in Mexico, there is a festival dedicated to these animals so common on its shores. This animal is docile and calm and does not usually attack humans. In fact, in general, it is not an aggressive animal.
What do whale sharks eat?
It is usual to think that, like any other shark, this species is carnivorous. But, precisely, it is so docile because it feeds on plankton,hence its nickname of whale. It filters this microscopic substance through its cartilaginous gills and swallows thousands of liters of water per hour to get the amount of food it needs.
However, their diet is also based on small fish, crustaceans and squid. These animals, despite being among the largest on the planet, also serve as food for their predators, which are the killer whale, the tiger shark and the great white shark.
On the other hand, recent studies[1] [2]suggest that this type of shark also includes algae and other plants in its diet, so it is believed that it could be more of an omnivorous animal.
Does the whale shark eat humans?
No, as we have mentioned, the whale shark is not dangerous to humans and its food source is not us.
Where do whale sharks live?
As we have mentioned before, the whale shark lives in warm seas and oceans, although exceptions can be found for specimens that live in warm waters. cold, such as the coasts of New York or those of South Africa. They usually live between meridians that are at 30 degrees,either north or south.
A whale shark, throughout its life, can have up to 300 pups that usually measure about 60 centimeters. Many of them do not survive, as they are easy prey for other fish or sharks. Its growth is slow and it takes 25 years to mature,but its life is also very long, living between 80 and 100 years.
It is difficult to find groups of whale sharks due to the fact that they are quite solitary animals, unlike their shark brothers and other examples of carnivorous animals. There is little information on their migrations or their way of life under water, so they are a challenge for scientists who want to track them.
Climate change and whale sharks
This fish is in danger of extinction due to rising ocean and sea water temperatures over the past 50 years. If the temperature rises, it directly affects the plankton larvae, which are distributed differently, making it difficult for this type of shark to get its food.
All animals in the whale shark food chain will be affected by the threat of these cycle changes and the locations where they can find their food.
Added to this is the degradation of coastlines and marine habitats due to human action. This has become one of the main threats to the whale shark. The increase in marine traffic due to tourism has caused their feeding to be constantly interrupted, weakening them as a species. They even suffer injuries from collisions with boats.
Finally, the massive fishing with which we have been working in recent years has led to the whale shark being considered one of the of the most delicate on the planet.
Now you know the whale shark and you know that it is not dangerous to humans or a 100% carnivorous animal, but it is one of the most docile species on the planet. If you want to continue learning more about the animals of our planet, don't hesitate to consult the EUROINNOVA blog where you will find all the curiosities and information you should have about the animals that live with us.
