Whale shark

The whale shark is the largest living fish, a slow-moving filter feeder found in warm tropical and subtropical seas. Its broad, patterned body and enormous mouth distinguish it from other sharks.

Filter feeding: A feeding method that strains small organisms or particles from water. Whale sharks feed by filtering plankton and small animals from seawater.
Shark: A cartilaginous fish belonging to the subclass Elasmobranchii. The whale shark is the largest member of this broad group.
Marine ecotourism: Tourism focused on marine wildlife and ecosystems, often with conservation aims. Swimming tours bring visitors to whale shark aggregation sites.
Endangered species: A species facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. The whale shark is classified as endangered because its populations have declined.
Whale shark migration: The seasonal and long-distance movements of whale sharks through the world’s oceans. Tracking shows extensive travel, but the routes and drivers remain incompletely known.
Ram filtration: A form of filter feeding in which an animal filters water as it swims forward. Swimming with its mouth open lets the whale shark drive water across its filters.
Chondrichthyes: The class of cartilaginous fishes, including sharks, rays, and chimaeras. Its skeleton is made primarily of cartilage, the defining trait of this fish class.
Ningaloo Reef: A coral reef system off Western Australia known for seasonal whale shark gatherings. Its predictable aggregations support research and regulated wildlife tourism.
CITES: An international agreement regulating trade in wild animals and plants. CITES lists whale sharks in Appendix II, regulating international trade.
Whale shark reproduction: The reproductive biology and life cycle of the whale shark. Pregnancy and birth are rarely observed, leaving key life-history details unresolved.

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