Whale sharks are the largest species of fish in the world. They aren’t related to whales, but take their name due to their enormous size. At full maturity, whale sharks measure around nine or 10 meters long and can weigh from 15,000 to 40,000 kilograms. Whale sharks live in warm waters, with about 75% of them found in the Indo-Pacific region. They can migrate thousands of kilometers to different feeding grounds, but at a slow speed of 5 km/h on average.
Whale sharks have a broad, flat head and are typically brown or gray in color. Their distinguishing characteristic lies in the markings on their backs, which feature dots inside squares that resemble a checkerboard. This pattern varies from one individual to another, making each of them distinct. Despite their massive size and fearsome appearance, these giant animals are actually quite docile. Divers can swim right next to them without real risk.
Interestingly, whale sharks have over 3,000 tiny teeth arranged in around 300 rows, although they neither bite nor chew their food. Unlike most other shark species, whale sharks are filter feeders, which means they feed by taking in large volumes of water. As they glide through the ocean, whale sharks suck in water along with plankton and, occasionally, small to medium-sized fish. Their gill rakers then trap these organisms, allowing the whale sharks to swallow them while water exits through their gills. This feeding method enables these giants to consume a great amount of food with minimal effort. Whale sharks may spend up to eight hours a day feeding, devouring over 20 kilograms of plankton and other small creatures.
Photo: AdobeStock 照片：AdobeStock
鯨鯊是世界上最大的魚類。牠們與鯨魚不是同類，但因其巨大的體型而使用鯨魚的名稱。當鯨鯊完全發育成熟時，牠們的長度約為九或十公尺，體重在一萬五千到四萬公斤之間。鯨鯊生活在溫暖的海域，其中約 75% 分布在印度洋-太平洋海域。牠們能夠遷徙數千公里到不同的覓食區，但平均速度只有緩慢的每小時五公里。
鯨鯊擁有寬大、扁平的頭部，顏色通常是棕色或灰色。牠們顯著的特徵是其背上的斑紋，在方形內的斑點看起來類似棋盤。這些花紋在每個個體之間有所不同，使得每一隻鯨鯊都是與眾不同的。儘管它們體型龐大、外觀可怕，但這些巨型動物實際上非常溫馴。潛水員可以就在鯨鯊旁游泳而不會有實際危險。
有趣的是，鯨鯊擁有三千多顆排列成約三百排的細小牙齒，雖然牠們既不咬也不咀嚼食物。與大多數其他鯊魚物種不同，鯨鯊是濾食性動物，這意味著牠們透過吸入大量的海水來進食。當牠們在海洋中滑行時，鯨鯊會吸入海水和浮游生物，偶爾還會吸入中、小型魚類。牠們的鰓耙會接著將這些生物攔住，讓鯨鯊在吞下牠們的同時把水透過鰓排出。這種進食方式使得鯨鯊能夠用極少的力氣攝取大量食物。鯨鯊每天可能花多達八小時的時間進食，吞食二十多公斤的浮游生物和其他小型生物。
Words in Use
1. species n. 物種（單複數同形）
Some species of birds migrate thousands of kilometers every year.
有些鳥類每年會遷徙數千公里。
2. enormous a. 巨大的，龐大的
The cake was so enormous that it took 10 people to finish it.
這個蛋糕巨大到需要十個人才吃得完。
3. maturity n. 成熟
The elephant grows slowly and reaches full maturity in its teens.
大象成長緩慢，到十幾歲才完全發育成熟。
4. distinguishing a. 顯著的，有區別的
The distinguishing feature of this smartphone is its foldable screen.
這款智慧型手機的顯著特點是其可折疊的螢幕。
Practical Phrases
1. be related to. . . （動物）與……是同類
Cats are closely related to lions and tigers.
貓與獅子和老虎的親緣關係相當接近。
2. on average 平均
On average, I spend about three hours a day on my phone.
我平均每天花約三小時用手機。
3. lie in. . . 在於……
True happiness lies in enjoying the little things in life.
真正的幸福在於享受生活中的小事。
4. vary from A to B 從 A 到 B 各異
The prices of products vary from store to store.
商品的價格在不同商店之間有所不同。
5. suck in. . . 吸入……
The vacuum cleaner sucks in all the dust and dirt from the floor.
吸塵器把地板上所有灰塵和髒汙吸入。
To be continued tomorrow（明日待續）
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聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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