By: Avery OwenBy: Avery Owen77thth grade grade

Vickery Creek Middle Vickery Creek Middle SchoolSchool

I chose an article on the I chose an article on the endangered marine endangered marine animal, the Whale animal, the Whale Shark. The Whale Shark. The Whale Shark is not a predator Shark is not a predator of man, and does not of man, and does not deserve to be harmed . deserve to be harmed . Why do people in Why do people in some parts of the world some parts of the world bring harm to the bring harm to the Whale Shark? Whale Shark? Let’s consider Let’s consider some amazing facts some amazing facts about these fish, and about these fish, and about how they live.about how they live.

IntroductionIntroduction

The huge Whale Shark is found worldwide in tropical , The huge Whale Shark is found worldwide in tropical , warm, temperate seas. It is the largest fish in the sea, warm, temperate seas. It is the largest fish in the sea, reaching lengths of 40 feet or more. It is distinguished by reaching lengths of 40 feet or more. It is distinguished by its two-toned pattern of light spots on its dark grey back. its two-toned pattern of light spots on its dark grey back. It can eat a lot of different marine animals, but its It can eat a lot of different marine animals, but its favorite is plankton. While the Whale Shark is swimming favorite is plankton. While the Whale Shark is swimming close to the water’s surface, its very large gaping mouth close to the water’s surface, its very large gaping mouth scoops up these animals, along with any small fish that scoops up these animals, along with any small fish that happen to be around. happen to be around. Known as a filter feeder, the Whale Shark extends its Known as a filter feeder, the Whale Shark extends its jaws and sucks everything in its mouth. It then shuts its jaws and sucks everything in its mouth. It then shuts its mouth, forcing water to filter out of its gills. Everything mouth, forcing water to filter out of its gills. Everything that is left becomes the shark’s dinner and is circulated that is left becomes the shark’s dinner and is circulated through its system. through its system. The Whale Shark continues to be hunted in parts of The Whale Shark continues to be hunted in parts of Asia, for its meat and for medicinal purposes.Asia, for its meat and for medicinal purposes.

I learned that:I learned that:The Whale Shark can The Whale Shark can be 40 or more feet in be 40 or more feet in length. length. Known as a filter Known as a filter feeder, it extends its feeder, it extends its mouth sucking mouth sucking everything in; it shuts everything in; it shuts its mouth forcing water its mouth forcing water to filter out of its gills; to filter out of its gills; and it finally circulates and it finally circulates the food through its the food through its system. system. But most of all, I But most of all, I learned that we need to learned that we need to stop the hunting and stop the hunting and killing of Whale killing of Whale Sharks , in parts of Asia Sharks , in parts of Asia , for food and , for food and medicine . medicine .