Whale Shark, Rhincodon typus (Smith, 1828)

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.

What does this mean?

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

What does this mean?

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.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 29 April 2011

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