The majestic and beautiful whale shark is a splendid sight which many divers are keen to observe in their natural environment. This magnificent animal has the distinction of being the largest species of fish presently living in the world.
The whale shark typically prefers the habitat of warm tropical seas and can be spotted in several parts of the world. One of these locations is the Maldives where these gentle giants can be readily sighted. To dive with whale sharks the best locations in the islands are to be found in the southern area of the Ari Atoll, in the environs of Sun Island as well as Rangali.
The southern section of the reef bordering Sun Island features an underwater plateau which ranges in depth from approximately 5 m to 10 m making it an ideal environment in which to spot these amazing creatures. Alternatively you can try out the undersea environment of Rangali islet with its adjacent reefs which is also a noteworthy site for seeing the giant sharks.
The whale shark is a remarkable animal which always captures the imagination of the observer. The largest precisely measured specimen had a length of 42 ft and a weight of 47,000 lb, but there have been numerous claims of much larger individuals. Its size makes it the biggest surviving non-mammalian member of the animal kingdom, with a weight equalling the very biggest dinosaurs.
Another interesting feature of this amazing shark is that it is a filter feeder, consuming only the smallest living creatures such as plankton, algae, crab larvae, krill and occasionally small fish or squid.
The female whale sharks retain eggs within the body and give birth to live young, which are called pups. Despite the size of the fish it is not considered to pose a significant threat to human beings as it is not an aggressive animal.
The selective visitor desiring a Maldives all inclusive hotel will be pleased by Maafushivaru Maldives. This hotel offers attractive accommodation and a tranquil laidback setting.
Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+
