Whale Shark [Rhincodon typus]
Description
The whale shark is the largest known extant fish species. It is a slow-moving, filter-feeding carpet shark. The species poses no threat to humans. Whale sharks are found in open waters of the tropical oceans and are rarely found in water below 21°C. They have very large mouths and are filter feeders, feeding mainly on plankton, but also on small fish and squid. Distinguishing features include its size, with adults commonly reaching lengths of 10 meters, and a pattern of light spots and stripes on a dark background on the skin.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Cartilaginous Fish
Chondrichthyes
|
| Order |
Carpet Sharks
Orectolobiformes
|
| Family |
Whale Sharks
Rhincodontidae
|
| Genus |
Whale Shark
Rhincodon
|
