Almost eaten whale sharks
This diver was almost sucked into the mouth of a massive whale shark as it fed on plankton off Isla Mujeres, Mexico!
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) was recorded as the largest fish species present. Researchers reveal, this plankton-eating sharks can reach 20 meters in length. However, who would have thought of that size could be wrong measurements. The observations of researchers from the University of Queensland, the size of whale sharks may actually be even greater.
Christoph Rohner conclusion was derived after analyzing using a camera equipped with a laser. Measurement method is said to be more accurate than previous ones. "Laser method allows us to get an accurate size of sharks that are moving. So, we can know that the biggest shark is bigger than expected," he said.
Typically, the length measurement is only done with the whale sharks photogrammetery method. With this method, the size is only estimated to be simpler than photo taken. With the laser is placed 50 cm from the camera, the distance projected by the image produced is easier to analyze. Thus, the measurement results can be more accurate.
Rohner expected, precision in the measurement could open up possibilities for studying the age and development of whale sharks. With this, these species can be conserved. The whale shark is included in the list of animals threatened with extinction according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Many mysteries of the life of the whale shark that has not been revealed.
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