Flexi Says: Whale sharks are filter feedersfilter feedersFilter feeders are animals that feed on matter and food particles from water. Some animals that do this are clams, krill, sponges, baleen whales and many fish such as sharks. Some birds such as flamingos are also filter feeders.https://simple.wikipedia.org › wiki › Filter_feederFilter feeder – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. They swim with their mouths open, taking in large amounts of water filled with plankton, small fish, and other tiny organisms. This water then passes over specialized structures in their mouths called gill rakers, which act like a sieve.
Why do whale sharks eat small things?
Whale sharks filter large quantities of seawater either by actively sucking water into their mouths, or by cruising along near the surface of the water with their large mouths agape as they look for plankton. Whale sharks must consume large quantities of these small animals in order to survive.
Why are whales mammals and not sharks?
Dolphins, whales, seals, sea lions, and otters are all mammals. They give birth to live young and nurse their young with milk. In contrast, even though some sharks give birth to live young, sharks are fish.
Do whale sharks breach the water?
The whale sharks breach as they swim in order to scoop up bits of food. You can see their dorsal fins coming as they approach and then you have a few moments to get out of the way.
Why is a whale shark a shark?
The name whale shark comes from the fact these animals are so large (as big as whales) and that they filter feedfilter feedFilter feeders are animals that feed on matter and food particles from water. Some animals that do this are clams, krill, sponges, baleen whales and many fish such as sharks. Some birds such as flamingos are also filter feeders.https://simple.wikipedia.org › wiki › Filter_feederFilter feeder – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (like baleen whales such as the humpback). However, they have cartilage instead of bone – making them a true shark. The whale shark is the largest living shark.
