My favorite shark of all is none other than the whale shark, so of course I had to do a Shark Week post about these docile behemoths. 🙂
As their name would imply, these magnificent creatures are HUGE. On average, a mature whale shark is estimated to reach lengths of 32 feet, and to weigh in at a massive average of 20,000 pounds! (Even larger specimens than that have been recorded, though, believe it or not.) It’s no surprise that they are the largest fish in the world.
Don’t let their massive size intimidate you though, because these sharks are the gentle giants of the ocean. They’re actually filter feeders who use their giant gaping mouths to dine on plankton and some small fish and other itty bitty sea critters.
Much like how two tigers never have the same stripes, no two whale sharks have the same spot/stripe pattern.
Whale sharks have some BIG mouths. (All the better to nom on all that tasty plankton with!) A mature whale shark’s mouth is about five feet wide on average and is home to over 300 teeth. (Again, no worries about them coming up to divers for a little nibble. They’re basically giant cinnamon rolls just floating around doing their thing.) Fun Fact, though: These guys will use their giant mouths to suck out a free meal from the full nets of fishermen. I personally find this hilarious. Way to stick it to the man, whale sharks!
All in all, whale sharks rock and are to be respected for the mellow and distinguished sharks they are.
IgnitedMoth 
Wonderful way to kick off Shark Week!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Your welcome! I’m dedicating y Whimsical Wednesday post tomorrow to our toothy friends.😁
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That is awesome! 😀 I can’t wait to see the post. Gonna go check it out now! 🙂
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Vietnamese translation wins all shark titles, ever.
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Haha right?? I love the little top hat, monocle, and mustache they gave the whale shark. 😛
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He’s just too dapper for me to handle.
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I heard or read somewhere that the Chinese translation for the KFC slogan “finger licking good” is Eat your fingers down to the bone. Haha. Anyway great shark and great facts. My favourite shark is the gummy shark because it’s the tastiest and when I was a kid I called it the Gumby Shark. Do you know who Gumby is or was? On a side note have you and cupcakes ever thought about producing your own comic or graphic novel. It could be about some cool chicks who are called cupcakes and moth. They ride sharks and bake and read and get into adventures.
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Omg that’s a terrifying translation if that’s the case! :O
Thank you, I’m glad you liked the shark facts! 🙂 I remember getting those blue and white gummy sharks at the movie theater when I was a kid once (I even remember it being when I went to go see Balto!) Sooo long ago, and what a random thing to remember when half the time I struggle to recall what I did earlier today. 😛
And yes, I do remember Gumby!
Funnily enough, Cupcakes and I used to make comics all the time when we were younger. We still have some of them and they’re hilarious. Based off ourselves and friends. There were plenty of crazy adventures, but there was definitely a lack of shark-riding. Should definitely rectify that if we ever get back into making comics. 😉
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Ummm I meant real Gummy Sharks haha. As in the ones found in Aussie waters. We fish for em and then eat them haha. I guess you could eat them while at the cinema too though hehe
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OH! I thought you meant the candy sharks. /Facepalm.
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Haha they’re yum too
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Whale sharks are the puppy buses of the ocean. I love them!
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Haha I absolutely love the term “puppy buses of the ocean.” It’s so perfectly fitting for them. 🙂
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Right! They are huge, but completely docile! It’s what I love about them!
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I love this post! My son is a huge fan of whale sharks and constantly feeding me facts 🖤 he would love your drawing and post! I will show him when he returns home from his visit.
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Thank you! 😀 Aw, that’s so cute about your son. I hope he enjoys the drawing and post. Your comment just made my day! ❤
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The whale shark chowing down on the ‘Fast Food’ is hilarious! I love it!
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Haha yay, I’m glad you got a kick out of that. It was one of those gifs that were just too good to pass up. 😛
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Its hilarious! Like his version of a restaurant!
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Sharksharkshark!
32 feet and 300 teeth… Waaaaah!! Interesting to hear they’re the less intimidating ones eating plankton and smaller creatures. I love your description of them as “giant cinnamon rolls just floating around“, that made me chuckle!
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Haha thank you. I’m glad it gave you a laugh. 🙂 Yeah, it’s definitely a plus that these big guys are gentle giants.
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When I think of whale sharks, it reminds me of Destiny from Finding Dory 😊 And all these whale shark trivias! My fave of all though is your illustration 😄 It’s super cute! 💖
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Aw, thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it. ❤
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These look friendlier than they probably are hahahah Thanks for these awesome insightful posts. 😛
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Haha We’re definitely lucky they’re such gentle giants! 😛
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Yasssss! They’re my favorite, too! I have a stuffed one and he’s so squishy soft ♥
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Aw, that’s awesome. 🙂 I recently ordered a huge variety pack of stickers for my room at work and one of the packs in it was all marine life and I started freaking out with excitement because they had 2 really cute whale shark stickers in the pack (along with several other sea critters you wouldn’t expect to see). I promptly got called a nerd by my co-worker because of it but I regret NOTHING! 😛
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I look at being called a nerd as a badge of honor lol.
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