Whale Shark Identification
How can you tell one whale shark from the next?
Easy we look at the spots and stripes alongside their body to determine one individual for the next. This is because those spots and stripes are similar to a human fingerprint making them unique to each individual.
How to take the photo?
The best place for the ID photo is the left side of the body in between the gills and the dorsal fin.
This location is universal and enables researchers to correctly determine if it is the same or a different individual.
What data is important to collect?
Data should be collected on the following:
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Date
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Location
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Size of animal
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Any distinctive scaring
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Sex of the animal
How to sex a shark?
Sex determination in sharks is determined by looking just behind the pelvic fins of the animal.
Male sharks as the above image shows have claspers, these are extensions of the pelvic fins which direct the sperm into the female during copulation.
Female sharks lack these extensions and only the cloacal opening is visible.
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One thing to consider is that the claspers are only visible from the side of the animal in mature individuals (over 8m). If smaller you will need to look beneath the animal to determine the sex.
Where to submit data?
All data can be submitted through one of the following locations:
Email​​
Online