Whale Sharks And Their Surprising Travel Companions

2023-09-26 07:17 AM by Jessica Irvine

In the crystal-clear waters off Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef, a group of snorkelers huddle together in eager anticipation. Sunlight dances on the surface, casting mesmerizing patterns on the sandy seabed below. The ocean, stretching out in every direction, seemed infinite in its shades of blue. As they bob gently on the surface, snorkels in mouths …

Initial Observation of Whale Sharks Engaging in Benthic Feeding

2023-06-06 11:23 PM by Jessica Irvine

In spite of their size, whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are filter feeders, feeding on plankton, small fish, and other microscopic organisms. To capture their prey, they typically swim slowly near the water’s surface, opening their massive mouths up to filter large volumes of water. In its throat, specialized structures called gill rakers filter out food …