A blog about boats, fishing, water sports and having fun on the ocean
Is a whale shark a shark or a fish?
by
Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are the largest shark, and indeed largest of any fishes alive today. They feed on plankton and travel large distances to find enough food to sustain their huge size, and to reproduce. Whale sharks are found in all the tropical oceans of the world.
A whale shark is a fish and breathes via its gills. The name whale shark comes from the fact these animals are so large (as big as whales) and that they filter feed (like baleen whales such as the humpback). However, they have cartilage instead of bone – making them a true shark.
What are whale sharks classified as?
Whale sharks are found in marine environments worldwide but mainly in tropical oceans. They make up the only species of the genus Rhincodon and are classified within the order Orectolobiformes, a group containing the carpet sharks.
These huge creatures can grow up to 39 feet long. But despite their size, whale sharks are often referred to as “gentle giants.”
Is a whale shark a shark or a fish? – Related Questions
What is world’s largest fish?
The biggest fish in the ocean is the Rhincodon typus or whale shark. Despite their tremendous size and intimidating appearance, whale sharks are commonly docile and approachable.
Do sharks have tongues?
Yes, sharks have a tongue, and it is referred to as a “basihyal” rather than a tongue. A shark’s tongue cannot move in the same way that a human tongue can since it is not a muscle. The bottom of a shark’s mouth contains this little thick chunk of cartilage, and it doesn’t have any taste buds or perform any functions.
Do sharks scream?
But, although they are very much attuned to this great oceanic opera, sharks are — by and large —the quintessential silent hunters. Unlike their noisy neighbors, sharks have no organs for producing sound.
Do sharks fall asleep?
Some sharks such as the nurse shark have spiracles that force water across their gills allowing for stationary rest. Sharks do not sleep like humans do, but instead have active and restful periods.
Are sharks drawn to urine?
From a scientific standpoint, Esbaugh says that it’s “definitely not true” that sharks are attracted to urine, and he assumes the rumor got started because many animals use scent to track their prey. But he says this doesn’t hold up because humans aren’t the most common meal for sharks.
Since sharks see contrast colors, anything that is very bright against lighter or darker skin can look like a bait fish to a shark. For this reason, he suggests swimmers avoid wearing yellow, white, or even bathing suits with contrasting colors, like black and white.
Will sharks smell period blood?
Any bodily fluid released into the water is likely detectable by sharks. A shark’s sense of smell is powerful – it allows them to find prey from hundreds of yards away. Menstrual blood in the water could be detected by a shark, just like any urine or other bodily fluids.
Why can’t I pee in the ocean?
Urine contains nitrates and phosphates, which can negatively impact coral — and coral reefs all over the world are suffering. Fortunately, one person peeing in the ocean won’t affect coral — the problem occurs when human waste is dumped into the ocean in large quantities, explains the American Chemical Society.
Is it OK to poop in the ocean?
Your poop matters.
1 gram of poop, about the weight of a fish hook, can contain millions of virus particles. It only takes 10-100 viruses to get sick. The waste from one person can contaminate an area about the size of 25 football fields.
How much of the ocean is human pee?
The NOAA estimates the oceans at 321,003,271 cubic miles or 1.338e21 L (1.3 sextillion). Dividing those out and you get 0.0002%, or 1 in 500,000 parts Human pee.
Does human pee hurt the ocean?
There is an assumption that urinating in the sea is not such a good idea because it contaminates the marine ecosystem. This is actually not true. Human urine does not harm the ocean or sea life in any way, in fact, some scientists say it is beneficial to marine plant life.
At this desperate point in time, drinking your urine—and putting those pollutants back into your system—can cause a build-up of toxic levels. It’s for this same reason that it’s so dangerous to drink seawater.
Can you pee in a lake?
Human urine contains something called nitrates, which can cause increased algae in the water, making it toxic to the fish and other wildlife. “Urine, although sterile, is considered a biohazard and should be discarded appropriately. Water treatment plants help us to have safe, clean drinking water.