Why Is a Whale Shark Not a Whale?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why is a whale shark not a whale?

The Big Idea

A whale shark is the biggest fish in the sea. It is a shark, not a whale. A whale is a mammal with lungs, while a fish has gills. The word whale in its name just means it is huge.

Check for Gills

Step one: check for gills. A whale shark breathes underwater with gills, like other fish. A whale breathes air with lungs, and has a blowhole on top of its head.

Check the Skeleton

Step two: check the skeleton. A whale shark has a bendy skeleton made of cartilage, like other sharks. A whale has a bony skeleton, like you do.

Check How Babies Are Fed

Step three: check how babies are fed. Whale mothers make milk for their calves. Fish do not make milk. Gills and a cartilage skeleton say fish. Lungs and milk say mammal.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at the two animals! The whale shark is a fish. It breathes with gills. The whale is a mammal. And it breathes air with lungs.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! The whale shark is the biggest fish alive. It eats tiny plankton, a bit like some giant whales do. Each whale shark has its own spot pattern, like a fingerprint. And never stand on or ride a whale shark. Look from a boat.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Name two traits that prove an animal is a fish. Name two traits that prove an animal is a mammal. Now sort a shark, a whale, and a dolphin into the right group. What traits proved each one?

Outro

Whale in the name is size talk. The animal is a shark. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!