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Whale Shark

Rhincodon typus

Description:

Whale Sharks are not Whales but Sharks (fish), its also referred to Whale due to its huge size measuring up to 12 meters or possibly more. Whale Sharks are harmless as they are filter feeders, feeding on microscopic planktons and also small fish. They have also been recorded to feed on newly released eggs of other fishes.

Habitat:

Whale Sharks inhabits tropical and warm-temperate waters.

Notes:

During this trip to Ahe Island, we visited Cenderawasih Bay where local fisherman anchored their dive bangkas (local boats) to around 40-50 meters depth and have huge nets hanging under their boats to keep all their catches alive. The small fishes caught in the nets attracts the Whale Sharks which came to feed on them through the nettings. In the second picture, you see the Whale Shark trying to feeds on the small fishes (probably anchovies) by sucking them into its mouth.

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18 Comments

AlbertKang
AlbertKang 9 years ago

@Chun, they don't have any teeth :P
I think its singing Opera with joy seeing me :D

ChunXingWong
ChunXingWong 9 years ago

The dentist said "open wide"
:D

AlbertKang
AlbertKang 10 years ago

Thanks, @Ashley.
Am sure you will have a blast with them!

AshleyT
AshleyT 10 years ago

Awesome, the second picture is fantastic! Can't wait to do this in July :)

AlbertKang
AlbertKang 10 years ago

Thanks, @Saumya :)

Saumya Wanniarachchi
Saumya Wanniarachchi 10 years ago

Amazing Series !

AlbertKang
AlbertKang 10 years ago

Its a gaping mouth or mouth wide opened, @dotun.
And yes, the mouth is big enough for a man to swim into, but it will definitely not swallow a man. The Whale Sharks are gentle giants, they are harmless, no sharp teeth like those you saw in Jaws.

Its the typical misconception of most non-divers, that all Sharks are dangerous and scary. The fact is most Sharks are harmless unless of course you provokes them. Most Sharks swim away when they see Divers.

dotun55
dotun55 10 years ago

Is that a gaping mouth I'm seeing or what... ? Could swallow a man whole. Not a totally funny sight : )

AlbertKang
AlbertKang 10 years ago

Yes, @Jemma, it certainly was looking for food or in the process of consuming food :D

Hema  Shah
Hema Shah 10 years ago

food.

AlbertKang
AlbertKang 10 years ago

Thanks, @cbenito00.
It was probably singing with delight :)

cbenito00
cbenito00 10 years ago

Amazing sighting! It looks like he's singing! Great job!

AlbertKang
AlbertKang 10 years ago

Thanks, @Larry :)

LarryGraziano
LarryGraziano 10 years ago

Lovely series

AlbertKang
AlbertKang 10 years ago

Very sharp observation, @Mark :)
Pic 2 was captured when the Whale Shark swallowed a group of small fishes and then spit some of them out!

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 10 years ago

A cave with fins. Magnificent ! Pic 2 is beautifully timed - looks like a cough.

AlbertKang
AlbertKang 10 years ago

Thanks, @Ava :)

Ava T-B
Ava T-B 10 years ago

Great series and information!

AlbertKang
Spotted by
AlbertKang

Papua, Indonesia

Spotted on Mar 10, 2011
Submitted on Jan 3, 2014

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