Similarities Between Whales & Sharks

Whales and sharks are both endangered species that adapt to live in cold, warm, salt or fresh waters to survive. Although whales are mammals and sharks are fish, they both have several things in common including what they like to eat, where they live and both can grow to the size of a school bus or larger.

  1. Habitat of Whales

    • Whales prefer to live in warm waters, but they can adapt and many whales can live in cold or warm waters. According to Whale World, these mammals have been found in the Arctic and Antarctica and roaming fresh and salt waters. They've spotted along the coasts of Florida, Texas, California and Oregon. However, there is concern that climate changes are forcing the whales from their natural habitat.

    Food Whales Eat

    • Whales prefer large fish, sea lions, squid and seabirds, according to National Geographic. If food is scarce, whales will eat anything to survive. Their teeth are four inches long, but they don't use them to eat their prey. Whales only use their teeth to kill their meal. Some whales have large stomachs and won't eat every day. Whale World says the Blue Whale holds up 2,200 pounds of food and still have room for more. Whales hunt in pods of up to 40. National Geographic says whales use hunting techniques similar to wolf packs.

    Anatomy of Whales

    • The anatomy of a whale is similar to that of a very large fish, although it is a mammal. Whales have flippers at the front of its body. Depending on the species some whales have hind legs. The dorsal fin helps the whales stay balanced. Some whales have at least two dorsal fins, according to Whale World. Whales can grow between 23 and 32 feet and weigh up to 6 tons.

    Habitat of Sharks

    • Sharks are adaptable fish that will go wherever they can find food. Although sharks are cold-blooded animals, they can live in cold or warm waters and salt or fresh waters. They prefer deep waters to keep hidden. However, life near the surface is also appealing for sharks hunting for food. According to Shark World, the shark lives mostly on its own.

    Food Sharks Eat

    • Sharks are meat eaters that feed on other fish and sharks. They have sharp senses, especially smell to help them find their prey. Their powerful jaws and teeth allow them to take a part their prey. According to National Geographic, sharks eat sea lions, seals, sea turtles, other sharks and small-toothed whales. Shark have up to 300 triangular teeth lined in several rows. Another keen hunting sense of the shark is its ability to sense the electromagnetic fields generated by animals.

    Sharks Anatomy

    • More than 300 shark species make their habitat in the ocean. This evolutionary fish has cartilage, no bones. It has rough skin,, 15 rows of teeth, jaws that function as separate pieces, a tail, fins and very developed senses. A shark can be between 15 and 20 feet long and weigh 5,000 pounds or more, according to National Geographic.