Whale sharks are not only the largest shark – they’re the largest fish in the ocean. These gentle giants feed on some of the tiniest creatures in the ocean: plankton. These sharks may be huge, but never fear, they come in peace. The whale shark is one of only three filter-feeding sharks. Of course, whale sharks are not whales at all; they earned the name “whale” solely for their impressive size. A fun nickname for whale sharks is in Africa, where the sharks are called “papa shillingi.” This nickname in Kenya came from the myth that God tossed shillings upon the backs of these large fish.
yeah whitetip reef sharks don’t rely on ram ventilation like most open-water sharks! they can use their throat muscles to pump water manually over their gills.
which is great, because it means they can nap in piles:
Epaulettes sharks get their name from the bold black spot on their sides. #sofancy #scienceofsharks #newenglandaquarium #sharks (at New England Aquarium)
wrennette 