Last Update : Tuesday 23 January, 2001 1:02 AM

Best Reef in Thailand
Map of Mu Ko Surin Marine National Park Getting to Know Mu Ko Surin Forests in the Middle of the Sea New Friends on Land The Superb Coral Reef Activities Diving Bird Watching Hiking Trail.. Whale Shark at Richeliew Rock Morgan Sea Gypsies What’s Good at Surin Islands
Research at Mu Koh Surin Your Heart for the Beautiful Sea Possible Dangers form Marine Tourism

Whale Shark at Richeliu Rock

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus )

           The largest fish in the world, with the length to 12 meters, weight of more than 11 tons, but harmless. It feeds on zooplankton by opening its wide mouth in water before sieving by its gill arches. It swims around without exact route, mating and breeding in deep sea. Nobody knows where a young Whale shark lives. All found are longer than 3 meters up. It usually forages near shore where there are lots of plankton in water. If you encounter it, you may come closer to see, but do not hold or touch it definitely. It may be dangerous both for yourself and the Whale shark. Especially for those who love to ride the Whale shark, don’t do it. It’s not good at all.

          Hin Richeliu: one of the diving sites that a Whale shark is found the most often in the world. Especially between March and May, divers can meet a Whale shark almost every dive. It is estimated that three of them are feeding here. Sometimes you may see them all together (so excited!). A Whale shark feeds at the surface of the sea to the depth of 40 meters. While following, be careful of the depth. Moreover, Hin Richeliew is the reproductive area of Cuttlefishes, and the habitat of various pelagic fishes such as Barracudas, Jackfishes, and Red Snappers. Occasionally, you may find some other sharks like Nurse shark. (Before following, look carefully whether it is a Whale shark or not; otherwise, you may be hair-raising as happened to our team.)

Copyright © 1999-2001 TalayThai.com All right reserved.
comment to webmaster@talaythai.com