David the Contributor again. Today is Whale Shark Day! This day belongs to Rhincodon Typus.
There’s a handful of aquariums across Asia that have whale sharks, particularly in Japan and China. The only aquarium outside of Asia where you can see a whale shark is the Georgia Aquarium, right here in Georgia, USA.
I got to go to the Georgia Aquarium on a field trip back in high school. They have an incredible underwater tunnel below the whale shark tank – you look up and there’s all kinds of fish and rays swimming overhead, with the giant whale sharks floating along here and there. Totally recommend going if you ever have the chance. Though it was great going with highschool friends, I didn’t get quite as much time to just experience the place as I would have if I went on my own. I’ll have to go again someday, maybe with Joey.
Some quick whale shark facts: whale sharks are active filter feeders, which means that they can pump or suction water and plankton into their mouths – as opposed to the basking shark, which has to swim to pull water through its gills. Whale sharks have an estimated lifespan of 80 to even 130 years, which is crazy. They’re an endangered species, and scientists have found microplastics in their scat, which goes to show the extended harm pollution does to the planet – imagine the microplastics washed off of your polyester jacket landing in a whale shark’s stomach! I’m ashamed just thinking about it.