Why do whale sharks have such tiny teeth?
Quick Answer
Whale sharks feed mostly by filtering plankton and small organisms, so they do not need large cutting teeth. Their enormous mouths and gill filters do most of the feeding work.
The Full Story
Whale sharks are the largest living fish, yet their teeth are tiny because they feed by filter-feeding rather than biting large prey. They open their huge mouths to take in water and then strain out plankton, krill, and small fish using specialized filtering structures. Since they do not need to tear flesh, large teeth would be unnecessary. Their massive size is therefore paired with a gentle feeding strategy. Whale sharks are a striking example of how body size does not always match hunting style.
Key Facts
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