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Whale Shark (*)
The biggest of all sharks and the largest living fish, the whale shark is one of the most dramatic sights in the oceans. Its huge size, distinctive patterning and large, front-set mouth make it instantly recognisable and it is commonly seen cruising near the surface in many tropical and sub-tropical waters around the world.
Maximum size: Uncertain, but probably up to 20 metres / more than 12,000kg.
Distribution: All warm temperate and tropical seas, except the Mediterranean. Thought to be highly migratory.
Diet: Zooplankton, small fish, squid.
eproduction: Viviparous. Number of young varies: one Taiwanese specimen contained over 300 pups, the largest number ever found in a single shark.
(*) Discovery Channel Web Page
The biggest of all sharks and the largest living fish, the whale shark is one of the most dramatic sights in the oceans. Its huge size, distinctive patterning and large, front-set mouth make it instantly recognisable and it is commonly seen cruising near the surface in many tropical and sub-tropical waters around the world.
Maximum size: Uncertain, but probably up to 20 metres / more than 12,000kg.
Distribution: All warm temperate and tropical seas, except the Mediterranean. Thought to be highly migratory.
Diet: Zooplankton, small fish, squid.
eproduction: Viviparous. Number of young varies: one Taiwanese specimen contained over 300 pups, the largest number ever found in a single shark.
(*) Discovery Channel Web Page