Page 30 - Central America

I Dn both cases, the filter pads serve to sepa- espite its size, the whale shark does from one mating and produces a steady
rate food from water. Whale sharks have not pose significant danger to humans. stream of pups over a prolonged period.
They reach sexual maturity at around 30
been observed “coughing”, presumably to They are docile fish and sometimes allow years and their lifespan is an estimated 70
to 100 years. The whale shark is targeted by
clear a build-up of particles from the filter swimmers to catch a ride, although this commercial fisheries in several areas where
they seasonally aggregate. The population is
pads. Each shark eats hundreds of pounds practice is discouraged by shark scientists unknown and the species is considered vul-
nerable. In 1998, the Philippines banned all
of food a day. Conditions around Isla Con- and conservationists. Younger whale sharks fishing, selling, importing, and exporting of
whale sharks for commercial purposes, fol-
toy are perfect for Plankton during the sum- are gentle and can play with divers.The cap- lowed by India in May 2001, and Taiwan in
May 2007.
mer months. The Plankton makes the water ture of a female in 1996 that was pregnant

murky which then attracts large schools of with 300 pups indicated whale sharks are

fish. The Whale Shark can be accompanied ovoviviparous. The eggs remain in the body

by schools of fish that use the body of the and the females give birth to live young

Whale Shark for protection. which are 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24 inches) long.

Evidence indicates the pups are not all born

at once, but rather the female retains sperm