Tomorrow is International Whale Shark Day

If any fish deserves a day for the entire world to celebrate it, then most certainly the Whale Shark does as it is the largest shark in the ocean! This is enough of a reason to celebrate this amazing fish, but since it is now also on the endangered species list due to over fishing of these amazing creatures, it is important for us to stop and think about them and what we are able to do to help preserve the incredible whale shark. Please share the following fun facts with the children you love, and then consider helping whale sharks - did you know . . .

• Whale sharks are extremely easy to fish. People have been using them for their meat and fins. The whale shark market has led to at least a 50% decrease in the fish’s population. 
• At birth, they are no bigger than 16 to 24 inches, but as they continue to grow, reaching their peak at 25, they can be as long as 46 to 60 feet. 
• Weighing in at some 12 tons, whale sharks are filter-feeders, mostly consuming planktons, squids, and fish.
• They eat 44 lbs of food every day.
• Whale Sharks have unique patterns of dots and lines on their skin.
• Even though they have the word “whale” in their names, the only reason they are known as whale sharks is because of their gigantic size.
• Whale sharks can live up to 150 years provided they survive to that age as more than 90% of all whale sharks are killed before they reach the 150-year mark.

You will find out more about Whale Sharks at this link, and in my books, Created "Just Right" - Look What's Swimming in the Sea! which you will find at this link, and Red-Lipped Batfish, Giant Purple Squirrels, Kakapo & More which you will find at this link. 

You could also "adopt" a Whale Shark to help protect them - you will find information at this link. With Christmas just a few months away, adopting a Whale Shark for your grandchild and giving them the stuffed Whale Shark would make a really fantastic gift - along with giving them one of my books!