Whale Sharks Are Both Protector and Predator
In Whale Sharks Are Both Protector and Predator, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores the fascinating behavior of whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean. Whale sharks use their massive size and feeding strategies to survive in the ocean, often sharing food sources with predatory species like tuna. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Lesson Express
Q: What is the primary diet of whale sharks?
A: The primary diet of whale sharks includes plankton, small bait fish, and occasionally other small marine creatures.
Q: How do bait fish use whale sharks as protection, and why does this strategy sometimes fail?
A: Bait fish swim close to the whale shark, hoping that its large size will deter predators like the yellowfin tuna. However, this strategy sometimes fails because the whale shark eventually dives deep into the ocean, leaving the bait fish exposed to the tuna. Sometimes the whale shark will end up eating them as well!
Q: What does the video suggest about the survival strategies of predators in the ocean?
A: The video suggests that predators in the ocean must act quickly and take advantage of every chance to catch prey. Success depends on timing and the right conditions.
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