Post by Radrook Admin on Aug 16, 2023 19:11:47 GMT -5
Whale Sharks
One thing to keep in mind is that these are not whales, they are sharks. Sharks are fish while whales are mammals. Neither are they unique, there are other sharks that are primarily filter feeders such as the basking sharks.
So their being called whales is probably due to their enormous size which can reach a length of up to 18.8 m (61.7 feet. Although they filter feed, they are not restricted to plankton. Their diet is far more diversified .
The whale shark sometimes feeds with its tail down and its opened mouth pointing up toward the surface, allowing water and food to enter the mouth as the shark bobs up and down. The captured prey includes both zooplankton (small animals such as copepods, shrimp, and other invertebrates) and phytoplankton (such as algae and other marine plant material). The whale shark also eats small and large fish and mollusks, including sardines, anchovies, mackerels, squid, and even small tuna and albacore.