The Whale Shark
The whale shark is both the largest shark and fish. The whale shark can
grow up to 46 feet(14 meters) the average size is 25 feet. Like most sharks
the females are larger than the males. The Whale shark's mouth has 3,000
little teeth of very little use to the creature. When mouth is fully opened
it can get up to the size of 4 feet. Unlike most sharks this shark's mouth
is at the very front of it's head, most of the other species mouths are
on the bottom side of their heads. Though it's name is the Whale shark it
is NOT a whale. The Whale Shark's head is large and flat. It's snout is
rounded and this shark has small eyes, very large gill slits, and has a
total of 5 fins . They are 2 dorsal fins(on his back), 2 pectoral fins,
and of course his fin on his tail that lets him swim. This specie's back
has a variety of yellow dashes and spots. Though as I have said before it
is not a whale but is also a filter feeder.Some of the Whale Shark's favorite
food is Plankton, krill, small fish, and squid. This species can process
over 1500 gallons of water each water while filter feeding the food listed
above. This shark's habitat is all over the e world in the warm parts of
the seas.They are found at about +30-40º latitude. Whale sharks are
generally found alone and are rarely seen in groups. Whale sharks can swim
no faster than 3 mph making them pretty slow swimmers. Another unique feature
is that Whale Sharks swim moving their whole body side to side instead of
just their tales. One Whale Shark had laid the e largest egg recorded in
history in the Gulf f Mexico during the year 1953. Though they can look
scary the Whale Shark is harmless to people. Scientists have estimated that
Whale Sharks can live from 100-150 years when usually most animals have
a much shorter life span than humans.