[2] Studies looking at vertebral growth bands and the growth rates of free-swimming sharks have estimated whale shark lifespans at 80–130 years. "Sizing ocean giants: patterns of intraspecific size variation in marine megafauna". Abstract.
The endangered whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish on Earth and a long-lived member of the ancient Elasmobranchii clade. Smith noted that one wa could be interpreted as either 2 m (6.6 ft) or the approximate average of 1.7 to 1.8 m (5.6–5.9 ft) based on the local fishermen. They are currently listed as a vulnerable species; however, they continue to be hunted in parts of Asia, such as the Philippines. [74] The record for a whale shark in captivity is an individual that, as of 2017, has lived for more than 18 years in the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. They are found in the western Atlantic Ocean from the coast of New York in the United States to central Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Join our monthly newsletter! 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. McClain CR, Balk MA, Benfield MC, Branch TA, Chen C, Cosgrove J, Dove ADM, Gaskins LC, Helm RR, Hochberg FG, Lee FB, Marshall A, McMurray SE, Schanche C, Stone SN, Thaler AD. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. The maximum size of whale sharks is not known, but could be as large as 20m. Its range is generally restricted to about 30° latitude or lower.

Although typically seen offshore, it has been found closer to land, entering lagoons or coral atolls, and near the mouths of estuaries and rivers. And whale shark tourism presents a threat to the species as it can interrupt their feeding and sharks can be injured by boat propellers. [85], In Madagascar, whale sharks are called marokintana in Malagasy, meaning "many stars", after the appearance of the markings on the shark's back. Subscribed! The whale shark is one of three large filter-feeding sharks; the others are the megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) and the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus). Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? The difference in size is very clear. As the shark swims with its mouth open, seawater enters the mouth cavity and filters through the gill slits.
[11], Pupping of whale sharks has not been observed, but mating has been witnessed twice in St Helena. [50][51], In a report from Rappler last August 2019, whale sharks were sighted during WWF Philippines’ photo identification activities in the first half of the year. Pamilacan Island, Philippines. World Wildlife Fund Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax ID number 52-1693387) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Whale shark mouths can contain over 300 rows of tiny teeth and 20 filter pads which it uses to filter feed. WWF has also placed satellite tags on 29 whale sharks. Associated ecotourism has grown rapidly to unsustainable levels. The tail has a larger upper lobe than the lower lobe (heterocercal). [10] On 7 February 2012, a large whale shark was found floating 150 kilometres (93 mi) off the coast of Karachi, Pakistan. Omissions? Speak up for species and places through WWF's Action Center. [9][10][11], Evidence suggests that males grow faster than females in the earlier stages of life but ultimately reach a smaller maximum size. Most specimens that have been studied, however, weighed about 15 tons (about 14 metric tons) and averaged about 12 metres (39 feet) in length. Food separation in whale sharks is by cross-flow filtration, in which the water travels nearly parallel to the filter pad surface, not perpendicularly through it, before passing to the outside, while denser food particles continue to the back of the throat. The shark has a large front dorsal (top) fin and smaller rear dorsal and anal fins. [9][10][11] Whale sharks have very large mouths and are filter feeders, which is a feeding mode that occurs in only two other sharks, the megamouth shark and the basking shark. The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a slow-moving, filter-feeding carpet shark and the largest known extant fish species.The largest confirmed individual had a length of 18.8 m (62 ft). Their presence suggests that the Ticao Pass may be a pupping ground for whale sharks, further increasing the ecological significance of the area. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review.


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