All About The Whale Shark's Diet And Anatomy

You can actually think the best description to suit a whale shark is this: A mouthful of teeth and a stomach that is consistently starving. Even though that seems morbidly acceptable it has nothing to do with the truth. In truth, whale sharks are totally different from other shark species when considering diet. See more Whale Shark Tour here.

Whale Sharks are typically known as filter-feeders. They eat mostly krill, plankton, squid, small fishes, red crab larvae and small nektonic vertebrates. A whale shark has a very unique oral anatomy which enables it to gulp in water, filter for food, and then expulse the water thru its gills.

Whale Shark Anatomy

As opposed to what a lot of people belief, whale sharks do not have big sharp teeth, just like other sharks do. The fact is that, the size of their teeth is considerably smaller given that their teeth serve no real purpose in feeding. Put another way, whale sharks will not chew their food. Truly being filter-feeders, whale sharks have a distinctive raking mechanism attached to the insides of their gills that work to filter food from the water they drink in. Filter-feeding requires a rather interesting, if somewhat odd, logic.

Filter-feeding

Instead of preying on fishes, a whale shark sucks in mouthfuls of water packed with planktons, macro-algae, and also tiny fishes. Next, it closes its oral cavity to trap the water inside, which is funneled through the gill flaps, where water is gotten rid of. The majority of the food particles are trapped against the dermal denticles lining the whale shark's pharynx and gill plates. The gills have very fine sieve-like contraptions which are employed to sifter planktons. The filters, only 2 to 3 millimeters in diameter, eliminate anything besides water and small sized food particles from escaping.

Any organic material which is caught between the gill filters is swallowed in after. To a human point of view, the concept of filter-feeding would appear quite a problem. You can definitely find it difficult to understand utilizing your oral cavity like a sponge filter plus swallowing the dirt that builds up inside of the filter. Although whale sharks are usually well experienced at filter-feeding, the difficulty of it is not lost to them. Whale sharks usually are documented "coughing," unable to swallow most of the food particles stuck in the gill filters. Soon enough, the excess particles there increase and block up the filters, making it difficult to eat with no need of coughing and, potentially, choking.

Whale sharks are quite active feeders. When compared to various other species of sharks, or fishes for instance, whale sharks hardly ever give up eating. As filter-feeding also does not demand them to chase for food, whale sharks can merely gulp in water even when they are resting in fixed position.

Other Filter-feeder Sharks

Amidst all species of sharks, two others are filter-feeders: the megamouth shark as well as the basking shark. The basking shark doesn't filter-feed the way whale sharks do. In place of gulping as well as expelling water via their gills, basking sharks simply "basks," as a result pushing water to flow through their gills. The food particles are then amassed and ingested.

The fact is, whale sharks are extremely distinctive from what you first assumed them to be. They are filter-feeders and have no use for teeth, far less for a mouthful of razor-sharp, pointy teeth.

Whale Shark Tours in Cancun, Mexico

Around the summer months from the middle of May until the middle of September in the clear waters off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, whale sharks are one of the main attractions for many tourists and nature lovers.

These majestic marine giants can be viewed off the coast of Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy and Isla Holbox, where they come in seek out food during the migration duration of plankton, that is certainly their main supply of nutrition. That is a great opportunity for the tourists, who can swim and snorkel alongside these while they're feeding on plankton and algae behemoths.


The whale shark (Rhinocodon typus) can measure up to 40 feet or over to 75,000 pounds, with some individuals being documented as becoming even larger. This tends to make whale sharks the biggest fish inhabiting the oceans on the entire world. Despite its name and size, the whale shark isn't a whale after all and isn't carnivorous. It's really a filter feeding fish, with plankton and algae being the main part of its diet.

Whale Shark Interacts with

At first, this huge giant generally is a bit scary, but the truth is that it's completely safe to approach and observe. The only risks for the diver come from the fact that this docile sea dweller will get scared and try to quickly swim away. If this takes place, there is a small chance that anyone can get hurt, and whenever swimming with whale sharks, the best thing to do is to try not to scare them

You will find regular whale shark tours prepared by Duende Tours throughout the summer, along with a large number of them begin from Cancun, Mexico. All Whale Shark Tours are organized by licensed companies with boats that depart from the small islands just off the coast, especially Isla Mujeres and Hol Box.
Whale Shark Tour

To keep the eco-system of the whale shark and make sure that the tours are secure for both tourists and whale sharks, some very strict rules utilize when organizing and participating in whale shark tours. Here is what you should look forward to from your whale shark tour if you want to join one:

The tours start early. Be ready to leave around seven o'clock in the morning in order to return in the early afternoon. Most tours can be a half-day long, which an impressive tours lasting longer. The boat crew that may take you to the sharks' spot provides you with all equipment, as well as some soft drinks and lunch.


Not everyone from the boat can swim with the sharks simultaneously. This is a preventative measure, because the whale sharks can be easily scared if too many people are around them. Most boats take up to 10 tourists on the tour, and when the boat reaches the desired destination, the tourists alternate to get into the water and swim and snorkel with the whale sharks.


Once within the water, you'll be able to approach the whale shark, have pictures and observe it, but you are not allowed to touch it or make an effort to feed it, as it could be dangerous for yourself if ever the giant fish gets alarmed.

The sun in this part of the world can be very strong, so you really should use sun lotion. If you've planned to go on a whale shark tour in Cancun, remember that only eco-friendly lotions may be used by tourists. This is very carefully inspected, as polluting the ocean while swimming with these majestic animals could be unhealthy for their health.

Whale shark tours in Cancun, Mexico are some of the most favored tours for the summer season, as tourists love to be able to get very near to these sea giants and to be one with the nature.

See our whale shark tour to learn more.

Whale Shark Tours - A Fantastic Day Trip Diversion

Whale Shark Tours provide you with a supreme swim adventure of which you must not fail to experience. And so, don't miss your chance to swim with gentle giants this season. The whale shark tour is available from June through September.

The whale sharks are said to be the largest of all sharks yet they are very friendly creatures. Swimming with the gentle giants in the clear blue waters of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico can truly afford you an experience of a lifetime.

Duende Tours invite you to experience this adventure by boat, ground or air.

The flying tours leave from Playa del Carmen or Cancun airport and go either to Holbox or to Isla Mujeres. Although ground trips begin at Cozumel and can go either to Holbox or to Isla Mujeres. Each tours will take you to the supreme whale shark experience at the equivalent cost.

Whale sharks by air can take you off with a beautiful flight over the Yucatan Peninsula in a little aircraft. The plane will fly low to allow you get an incredible view of the whale sharks and the Caribbean Sea.

In Isla Mujeres or Holbox in the Gulf of Mexico, you will see that the waters are richer in plankton and even more amazing fauna.

From Cancun and Isla Mujeres, the whale sharks may be seen in the very clear waters of the Caribbean. Each of the tour has their elegance and charm, thus to see and appreciate the best of each; I personally recommend trying both tours.

Afterward, you will be transferred to a speed boat for an amazing whale shark tour immediately after you have arrived in Holbox or Isla Mujeres.

At Holbox, you will have 1 hour of leisure time to look around the small village before your flight back to Cozumel.

At Isla Mujeres, you could have time to relish lunch at the beach.

In this particular tour, you'll enjoy swimming with the gentle underwater giants, snorkel and see beautiful coral reefs and stop at the river to see loads of marine birds. You'll be guided by expert multilingual guides to have close encounters with the warm and friendly giants.

Heading for a Whale Shark tour will allow you to be one with nature in the magnificent surroundings of the Caribbean while you swim and snorkel along with these friendly sea giants.

So for those tourists enjoying getaways in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, the Whale Shark Tours will certainly offer you an awesome day trip diversion.
Whale Shark Tours offer a supreme swim adventure which you should never fail to experience. So, don't miss your opportunity to swim with gentle giants this season. The whale shark tour is offered from June through September.

The whale sharks are said to be the largest of all sharks yet they are very friendly creatures. Having the opportunity to swim with the gentle giants in the clear blue waters of the Caribbean will truly a memorable experience.

We at Duende Tours are happy to invite you to experience this whale shark adventure.

The flying tours leave from Playa del Carmen or Cancun airport and go either to Holbox or to Isla Mujeres. While ground trips begin at Cozumel and can go either to Holbox or to Isla Mujeres. Each tours will take you to the best whale shark experience at the equivalent cost.

Choosing whale shark tours by air can take you off with a picturesque flight over the Yucatan Peninsula in a small plane. The aircraft will fly low to enable you get a magnificent view of the whale sharks and also the Caribbean Sea.

In Isla Mujeres or Holbox in the Gulf of Mexico, you will see that the waters are richer in plankton plus much more amazing fauna.

From Cancun and Isla Mujeres, the whale sharks are visible in the clear waters of the Caribbean. Each of the tour has their elegance and charm, therefore to see and take pleasure in the best of each; Personally, I recommend highly trying both tours.

After that, you will be transferred to a speed boat for an exciting whale shark tour immediately after you have arrived in Holbox or Isla Mujeres.

At Holbox, you will get 1 hour of leisure time to look around the small village prior to your flight returning to Cozumel.

At Isla Mujeres, you can have time to relish lunch at the beach.

On this tour, you will have a great time swimming with the gentle underwater giants, snorkel and see beautiful coral reefs and stop at the river to see loads of marine birds. You'll be led by seasoned multilingual guides to enjoy close encounters with the warm and friendly giants.

Heading for a Whale Shark tour will enable you to be one with nature in the amazing setting of the Caribbean as you swim and snorkel alongside these warm and friendly underwater giants.

And so for those vacation goers enjoying getaways in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, the Whale Shark Tours will certainly give you an incredible day trip diversion.