Whale Shark 237 



Caribbean-West Indian regions, but extending its range in 



summer to North Carolina. Occurs only as strays north 



of North Carolina. 



Size: Maximum length recorded, 14 feet. Sharks SVi feet 



in length weigh from 330 to 370 pounds. 



General Information: Chiefly found inshore in shallow 



waters, often less than 10 feet deep. A sluggish species 



commonly seen in small schools resting on the bottom. 



Feeds mostly on crabs, shrimp, squid, sea urchins, and 



small fish. 



Economic Importance: Where it is common, the skin may 



be used for leather. 



Whale Shark 

 Rhincodon typus Smith 



Color: Back and sides red or greenish brown to dark gray 

 and covered with scattered white or yellow spots; also some 

 transverse white or yellow stripes. Lower surface of body 

 white or yellow. 



Distribution: Widely distributed offshore in tropical waters 

 of all oceans. In the western Atlantic found from New 

 York to Brazil, but most abundant in the Caribbean-West 

 Indian region. 



Size: The largest of the sharks. Reported to reach a length 

 of 60 feet or more. A 38-foot specimen has been estimated 

 to weigh 26,594 pounds. 



General Information: Little is known about its life history. 

 It is often found in schools basking at the surface of the 

 water. Like the basking shark, the whale shark feeds on 

 plankton. Small fish, squid, and small shrimp-like forms 

 are also eaten. 



