"It was once thought that the whale shark was oviparous, meaning that it laid eggs. It has no air bladder, but obtains buoyancy by storing oil in its liver." It feeds exclusively on small fish and plankton in the seawater it inhales. Its mouth is especially large and filled with a huge number of small teeth. "This is the largest fish in the world, identified by the many white specks scattered across its blue back. It is possible that fully grown adults could produce far more offspring." Endless Ocean 2 The captured whale shark was relatively young and only 30 feet long. Whale sharks were thought to be external egg layers, but recently a female shark was pregnant with about 300 pups, leading scientists to conclude that they are in fact ovoviviparous (which means their eggs hatch inside the body). They usually live about 300 feet below the surface (though they can dive to great depths) and are known to cover vast areas during their lifetimes. Instead of an air bladder, these fish have extra-oily livers to give them more buoyancy. The water is then expelled, leaving only the food behind. When they feed, plankton and other tiny fish are pulled inside. Their mouths contain a vast multitude of small teeth. These gentle creatures can be seen year-round near Mo'ia Atoll. Their bodies are gray and white, with a speckled pattern that is unique to each fish. Whale sharks also have a pair each of dorsal and pectoral fins. In addition to their size, their massive heads, wide mouths, and three prominent side ridges make them easy to identify. "Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world.
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