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Wonderful Whale Sharks Trivia Quiz

When is a whale not a whale? When its a Whale Shark! Let's take a look at these amazing fish.

A multiple-choice quiz by ElusiveDream. Estimated time: 4 mins.

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Author
ElusiveDream

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
341,056

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
715

Last 3 plays: Guest 72 (6/10), Guest 172 (8/10), Guest 99 (6/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Whale sharks are the world's largest fish.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Where are whale sharks usually found? Hint

In the arctic

Everywhere

In tropical waters

In cold waters

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. What is the Whale Shark's scientific name? Hint

Carcharodon carcharius

Galeocerdo cuvier

Triakis semifasciata

Rhincodon typus

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Whale sharks can be kept in captivity.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. In what year was the first known sighting of a Whale shark? Hint

1633

1828

1900

1724

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Where was the world's largest recorded Whale shark caught? Hint

Japan

China

Pakistan

Thailand

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Do Whale sharks lay eggs?

Yes

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. What's the main reason why Whale sharks are endangered? Hint

They're used in shark fin soup

They're losing their habitats

They're not endangered

They're losing their food supply

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. In which prehistoric era did the ancestors of the Whale shark first appear? Hint

Triassic

Jurassic

Permian

Cretaceous

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. The back of a whale shark is covered with small pale yellow spots. Why? Hint

To help them recognise each other

It makes them look nice

To regulate their body temperature

For camouflage

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Dec 18 2024 : Guest 72: 6/10
Dec 11 2024 : Guest 172: 8/10
Nov 27 2024 : Guest 99: 6/10
Nov 27 2024 : Guest 174: 4/10
Nov 25 2024 : Guest 58: 9/10
Nov 20 2024 : Guest 104: 5/10
Nov 10 2024 : Guest 85: 4/10
Nov 07 2024 : Guest 76: 6/10
Nov 07 2024 : Guest 182: 8/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Whale sharks are the world's largest fish.

Answer: True

Whale sharks can grow up to 40 feet long and weigh between 13 and 22 tonnes. The only thing bigger than a Whale shark is a real Whale.

2. Where are whale sharks usually found?

Answer: In tropical waters

Whale sharks prefer warm tropical waters where there's a plentiful food supply. They feed on krill, small fish & squid. One of the best places to swim with Whale sharks is Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia.

3. What is the Whale Shark's scientific name?

Answer: Rhincodon typus

The scientific name for the Leopard shark is Triakis semifasciata.

The Whale shark's scientific name is Rhincodon typus.

The scientific name for the Tiger shark is Galeocerdo cuvier.

The Great White's scientific name is Carcharodon carcharius.

4. Whale sharks can be kept in captivity.

Answer: True

There are about a dozen Whale sharks around the world, usually in the USA, Taiwan, China and Japan.

5. In what year was the first known sighting of a Whale shark?

Answer: 1828

In April 1828 a 4.6m Whale shark was harpooned in Table Bay, South Africa.

6. Where was the world's largest recorded Whale shark caught?

Answer: Pakistan

The world's largest recorded Whale shark measured 12.65m and weighed 21.5 tonnes. It was caught near Baba Island in Karachi, Pakistan, on November 11th, 1947.

7. Do Whale sharks lay eggs?

Answer: No

In July 1996, in an unknown location, a pregnant female Whale shark was captured. She was carrying 300 pups, each one measuring between 40 & 60 centimetres long.

8. What's the main reason why Whale sharks are endangered?

Answer: They're used in shark fin soup

Many animals are endangered due to a reduction of their habitat or food supply. Whale sharks are targeted by commercial and artisan fisheries, mainly to be used in the making of shark fin soup.

9. In which prehistoric era did the ancestors of the Whale shark first appear?

Answer: Jurassic

The ancestors of the Whale shark first appeared in the Jurassic period approximately 245 million years ago.

10. The back of a whale shark is covered with small pale yellow spots. Why?

Answer: For camouflage

Whale sharks are a greyish blue colour with pale yellow spots. Their colouration helps them blend in with the surrounding water. Scientists aren't sure of the exact reason why whale sharks have spots. However, whale sharks are related to carpet sharks, which have a similar spotted pattern. This skin pattern helps with camouflage.

Source: Author ElusiveDream

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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