The Whale Shark

Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the sea. They are gentle giants and will happily allow divers to swim with them. Yet if a diver overdoes it and tries to ride on a whale shark, then the whale shark will feel harassed and may die.  Whale sharks are found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans at about 5m to 150m below the surface. If you have a weak stomach TURN AWAY NOW if you are still reading, here is a gruesome fact: if a boat drives too near a whale shark, it will often amputate it's dorsal fin and the tip of it's tail.  Horrible isn't it? Well unfortunately, this happens, but only very rarely. 

Amazingly whales sharks are the biggest fish in the world yet eat the smallest things. Whale sharks feed on plankton and shrimps. But, because of this, they do not keep well in captivity as plankton is expensive to buy and the shark itself would need a large aquarium. What is more, whale sharks are social creatures and will want a friend. Only a select few aquariums in Australia and America can afford to keep them. 

Each year, whale sharks arrive at Ningaloo reef in Australia for the coral spawning. During April each year, the coral at Ningaloo reef releases its' seeds at the same time, so that more of them get to grow. Plankton and shrimps arrive to eat the seeds and, in turn, the whale sharks arrive to eat them. It is one of the most amazing and mysterious undersea happenings.                                                          

A whale shark that has had it's fins cut off by a boat propellor.

A whale shark majestically drifting over a peaceful reef.