Whale Shark Research Paper

he whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish and shark in the ocean, with the largest found scaling in at around 12 meters. These animals are not whales, contradictory of their name. They are known mostly for their size and their bizarre or uncommon diet choice. Whale sharks eat small organisms, such as plankton, through a process of cross-flow filtration. Whale sharks, though usually lone animals, can be found in groupings around large populations of plankton. The whale shark has a flat head, a large grey or brown body with white spots and a faint stripes, a white underside, a large triangular tail, and two dorsal fins. The typical lifespan for a whale shark in the wild is up to 150 years, while those held in captivity has a 9 year
lifespan. (whale shark, worldwildlifefund.org ) The whale shark is considered a “vulnerable” species for endangerment. The whale shark is mostly being impacted by humans, due to the sharks’ size they do not have many other predators. (Rhincodon typus (whale shark), animaldiversity.org) The evolution whale sharks as a species is making is due to them having to react to their surroundings, humans, availability to a food source, and the changing climate. (