{"id":4830,"date":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www-prod.greenpeace.org\/usa\/whale-shark\/"},"modified":"2024-11-20T10:30:08","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T10:30:08","slug":"whale-shark","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/usa\/oceans\/wildlife-facts\/whale-shark\/","title":{"rendered":"Whale Shark"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rhincodon Typus<\/span>
Whale sharks are grayish-brown with a white underbelly and white spots and lines. This species is the largest fish in the world measuring 20 – 55 feet in length. Whale sharks are usually seen in the open water.<\/span><\/p>\n

Biology<\/h2>\n

Believed to have originated 60 million years ago, whale sharks are found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide at depths up to 100 feet.<\/p>\n

This species is a filter feeder and sieves plankton through its gills as it swims. It also feeds on fish, squid, and pelagic crustaceans by opening its huge mouth.<\/p>\n

Whale sharks have 5 large gill slits and the first gill slit (spiracle), which is used for breathing when the shark is resting on the sea floor, is located directly behind the shark’s eye.<\/p>\n

This species can weigh up to 15 tons, and like most sharks, females are larger than males.<\/p>\n

Whale sharks have about 3,000 tiny teeth, which are of little use.<\/p>\n

This shark can process >1,500 gallons of water each hour.<\/p>\n

Whale sharks are solitary species but at 30 years they begin mating.<\/p>\n

This shark can live to an age of 100 – 150 years.<\/p>\n

\n

Threats<\/h2>\n

It is thought that the most significant threat to whale sharks is habitat loss or degradation in the form of overfishing of reef fish, coastal development, land-based pollution, increased boat traffic and noise pollution.<\/p>\n

Fishing for meat and fins, harassment and boat strikes also pose serious threats to whale sharks.<\/p>\n

Although whale sharks are protected under CITES, in some areas fisheries remain and continue to carry high prices.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rhincodon TypusWhale sharks are grayish-brown with a white underbelly and white spots and lines. This species is the largest fish in the world measuring 20 – 55 feet in length. Whale sharks are usually seen in the open water. 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