Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)
The whale shark is the world's largest fish growing to 12 metres or more! These gentle giants are one of three filter-feeding sharks, which also includes basking and megamouth sharks, that feed on plankton (tiny plants and animals).
Using gill rakers (fine mesh or comb like structures within the gills), whale sharks sieve the water by taking it in through the mouth and forcing it out the gills, leaving the remains or food behind.
Whale sharks visit the Western Australian coast in autumn when food is plentiful, during the annual coral spawning at Ningaloo Marine Park. Also seen off our coast at Christmas Island, whale sharks are believed to be highly migratory and are found in almost all tropical seas and warm temperate waters in the world.
Protected in Australian waters by State and Federal legislation, these sharks are vulnerable to overfishing in other parts of the world.
Scientists are still researching the biology and ecology of the whale shark, as additional information is required to assist with management and conservation of this species.
One way that scientists are working together with the community is the Ecocean Whale Shark Photo-identification Library. Individual whale sharks can be identified by their distinctive patterns of spots and stripes located behind the gills, like fingerprints are used to identify people. The library is effectively a community monitoring database of whale shark encounters that is used by marine biologists to learn more about these amazing animals, including their migratory patterns.
Did you know... it is believed that the whale shark may grow up to 18 metres in length!
Related information:A series of informative fact sheets are also available to provide information about various Western Australian fish species and marine related matters - for school projects or just to expand your knowledge.
Fact sheets can be viewed or downloaded by selecting from the list below:
Fact Sheet 1 - Marine Bycatch Matters
Loggerhead Turtle
Western king wrasse
Seaweed
Sea jellies
Abalone
Sea cucumber
Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni)
Golden ghost crab (Ocypode convexa.)
Sea hare (Aplysia sp.)
Octopus (Octopus sp.)
West Australian seahorse (Hippocampus subelongatus)
Brown-banded bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum)
White-barred boxfish (Anoplocapros lenticularis)
Giant Crab (Pseudocarcinus gigas)
