Whale Shark Day | Whale Shark Characteristics | Filter Feeding Shark

International Whale Shark Day is celebrated to raise awareness about slow-moving Filter Feeding Carpet Shark. International Whale Shark Day is celebrated on August 30^th every Year. This day aims to highlight the importance of Whale Sharks to marine ecosystems. Moreover, it also aims to raise awareness about this carpet Whale Shark Conservation and the protection of their habitat. However, Whale Shark Characteristics are distinctive. It is filter feeding shark. The Whale Sharks have a unique “checkerboard” color pattern of light spots on their body. This is the biggest shark in the world.

Orca Dolphin – Killer Whale 

History of International Whale Shark Day

The International Whale Shark Day was first launched in 2008 during the 2^nd International Whale Shark Conference in Isla Holbox. The conference hosted ocean experts, activists, and scientists to promote Whale Shark Conservation. So, this day is celebrated on 30^th August annually worldwide. On the other hand, the population of this biggest shark in the world is declining due to overfishing, habitat loss, and boat strikes. Due to this day, people are encouraged to learn more about whale sharks and their importance to marine ecosystems.

Decline in Shark Population – Report 

Whale Sharks Characteristics

Whale Shark belongs to the family  Rhincodontidae and genus Rhincodon. It is filter feeding carpet shark. Moreover, this is the largest extant fish species means it is the largest ocean fish that is still in existence. So it is the biggest shark in the world. Whale Shark Characteristics are interesting.

Whale sharks are in fact sharks, not whales because they have many defining characteristics of Sharks. They have cartilaginous skeleton and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. As well as they have five to seven-gill slits on the sides of the head as in Sharks.

Whale Sharks have white, yellow, and grey checkerboard markings on their backs, just like the fingerprint of a human.

Whale sharks have two small eyes. They have spiracles located just behind the eyes. Moreover, they have five large pairs of gills. They have blunt snout above their mouth with short barbels protruding from nostrils.

Whale Sharks have several prominent ridges of hard tissue, often called keels. However, keels extend horizontally along each side of the body to the tail.  They have three prominent ridges along their sides. Moreover, these ridges start above and behind the head and end at the caudal peduncle.

Whale Sharks are the biggest shark in the world and can reach a maximum length of about 18 meters (59 feet).

Filter Feeding Shark – Whale Sharks 

Among interesting Whale Shark Characteristics, filter feeding is important. Actually, this is filter feeding shark. They have a broad and flat head with a large mouth. Unlike many other sharks, their mouth is located at the front of the head rather than on the underside of the head. However, their mouth can contain over 300 rows of tiny teeth and 20 filter pads which they use to filter feed.

Migratory Fish and their Importance  

During filter feeding, whale sharks move their heads, and plankton and other small creatures move into mouth through the water. When sufficient water with plankton enters the mouth, it closes its mouth. Then it pulls out the water through gills. If larger fish are stuck in the gills, it coughs out to clear gills. This is how filter feeding shark gets feed.

Habitat and Distribution of Carpet Shark

Whale Sharks have a very widespread distribution, occurring in all tropical and warm temperate seas, except in the Mediterranean Sea. They exist throughout the Atlantic Ocean, from New York through the Caribbean to central Brazil and from Senegal to the Gulf of Guinea. Primarily, Whale Sharks are considered to be pelagic open-water fish but they can be found in both coastal and oceanic habitats. Their habitat depends on the availability of prey. The are the biggest shark in the world.

Whale Sharks Conservation

Since 2016 whale sharks have been listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). If we talk ab out whale shark conservation, they have no link with commercial fishing. However, they are caught accidentally as bycatch in some areas. They have been caught for food in India, Taiwan, the Philippines, and China, where they are eaten fresh or dried and salted.

They have threats like targeted hunting for their fins, skin, and meat. Despite this, efforts are being made to protect carpet shark such as creating marine protected areas. Marine Megafauna Foundation has started the Global Whale Shark Research and Conservation Program to protect them from further decline.

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Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

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