ANIMAL SPECIES:Whale Shark, Rhincodon typus (Smith, 1828)
The Whale Shark is the largest of all fishes and is found in tropical and warm temperate waters. It is a slow moving shark that feeds on small crustaceans, squid and fishes from the water using filtering screens on its gills.
Identification
It can be easily recognised by size and colour pattern. The back and sides are blue to blackish with white stripes and blotches. The ventral surface is whitish.
The species has prominent ridges on the sides of the body with the lowermost ridge expanding into a keel on the caudal peduncle.
Size range
It may grow up to 18 m in length, but fish of 4 m to 12 m in length are more commonly seen.Distribution
In Australia it is known primarily from northern Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. It is also recorded from scattered localities in New South Wales, Victoria and the western Great Australian Bight.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Whale Shark specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
The Whale Shark is a pelagic species that occurs in continental shelf and offshore waters in both tropical and warm temperate waters of all oceans.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
There are about 300 tiny, hooked teeth in both jaws. Whale Sharks feed by filtering small crustaceans, squid and fishes from the water using filtering screens on the gills. The species usually feeds by swimming with the huge mouth open, however it can also feed by hanging vertically in the water and opening its mouth to allow water to rush in.
Whale Sharks follow migratory patterns that may be related to the presence of their prey.
Living with us
Danger to humans and first aid
Despite its huge size, the Whale Shark is not a threat to people.
Classification
- Species:
- typus
- Genus:
- Rhincodon
- Family:
- Rhincodontidae
- Order:
- Orectolobiformes
- Class:
- Chondrichthyes
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Last, P.R. & J.D. Stevens. 1994 Sharks and Rays of Australia. CSIRO. Pp. 513.
- Paxton, J.R., D.F. Hoese, G.R. Allen & J.E. Hanley. 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol.7 Pisces Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra: Australian Biological Resources Survey. Pp. i-xii, 1-665. Randall, J.E.,
- Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
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A Whale Shark off Western Australia. View full size
Roger Steene
© Image Quest 3-D
A Whale Shark at Great Detached Reef. View full size
Jeff Leis
© Australian Museum
A Whale Shark photographed on the FNQ field trip. View full size
Sally Reader
© Sally Reader
Scanning electron micrograph of Whale Shark scales. View full size
Sue Lindsay
© Australian Museum
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2 comments
Mark McGrouther
5.06 PM, 17 June 2009
Erik, That is a fabulous photo! Thank you. I particularly liked looking at the different species that are swimming or holding onto the shark.
eschlogl
4.06 PM, 17 June 2009
Whale Shark photographed 27-Apr-09 at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia (attached).
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