March 15, 2014

Gentle giant

butanding "A closed mouth catches no flies."
~ Miguel de Cervantes

Though whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), known locally as butanding, have very large mouths, they are plankton feeders and are no threat to humans (the reverse is not true, unfortunately). This slow-moving filter-feeding shark is the largest known fish species still swimming in our seas. The migratory path of these gentle giants take them near certain areas of the Philippines, driving local tourism. A life-size butanding replica is displayed—along with many other creatures—in the Life Gallery of The Mind Museum in Taguig City.

4 comments:

Massimo said...

Hallo Hilda,
nice photo ! hope you are well , saluti dall'Italia

Dina said...

Sure glad that giant has no teeth.

EG CameraGirl said...

Isn't it fascinating that this big fish eats such tiny food?

Lowell said...

So you're saying this fishy looks more ferocious than it is? Thank goodness! It's so sad how humans kill off such creatures for selfish goals with no thought for the common good of all life!