Whales are mammals and share several distinct characteristics with other mammals, including having lungs for breathing, giving birth to live young, producing milk to nurse their offspring, and being warm-blooded. In contrast, whale sharks are cold-blooded animals that breathe through gills, lay eggs, and do not produce milk.
Here are some key differences between whale sharks and whales:
1. Body Structure: Whales have a streamlined body with a dorsal fin, whereas whale sharks have a broad and flat body with two dorsal fins.
2. Breathing: Whales surface to breathe air through blowholes, while whale sharks breathe through gills located on the sides of their heads.
3. Reproduction: Whales give birth to live young and produce milk to feed them. Whale sharks reproduce by laying eggs, with females producing large numbers of small eggs.
4. Body Temperature: Whales are warm-blooded animals, meaning they can maintain a constant body temperature regardless of the surrounding environment. Whale sharks are cold-blooded, influenced by the temperature of the water they inhabit.
5. Diet: Whales are largely carnivores, feeding on prey such as krill, fish, squid, and even other marine mammals. Whale sharks are filter-feeders and primarily feed on plankton and small fish.
6. Migration: Many whale species undertake extensive migrations, moving between feeding and breeding grounds. Whale sharks also exhibit migratory patterns, but they tend to be less well-defined compared to those of whales.
Overall, while whale sharks may be similar in size to some whales, they belong to a different group of animals and exhibit unique characteristics that distinguish them from true whales.