Whale Shark/Rhincodon typus

     Today's blog will be on the whale shark/ Rhincodon Tyous, The whale shark  is a slow moving filter/eater similar to a whale. This species originated 60 million years ago. They can be found in tropical open waters along the equator and are rarely found in waters below 71 °F, They are thought to live up to 70 years but keep in mind that this is not an accurate measurement  they may live longer or not. The species was distinguished in April 1828 when a 4.6 m long specimen  was harpooned in Table Bay, South Africa by a military officer with the British troops posted in Cape Town his name was Andrew Smith The following year he named it the whale shark. They can be recognized by the spots on its back it's white belly and the flat snout with small black eyes, the mouth of the whale shark contains up to 300 to 350 rows of teeth and 10 filter pads, They also have five large gills the average size of an adult whale shark is around 9.7 m they can weigh up to 9 tons. There has been sightings of whale sharks that are twice the size of an average adult  that are 18 m long and weigh 18 tons. They feed on plankton and krill but sometimes can accidentally swallow a whole human or fish also they can be friendly unless they have their young near them how ever most whale shark are friendly and allow humans to ride on their backs but watch out for their tails because one hit can kill a man.