5504
Whale Shark
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5504 |
Whale Shark |
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| Tropical Oceans Worldwide | ||
| Zoo Tycoon Complete | ||
| $2,800 | ||
| No | ||
| No | ||
| No |
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The whale shark, Rhincodon typus, is the largest fish in the world. This shark is so large that before its scientific discovery in 1828, fishermen who caught a glimpse of the whale shark often thought they were viewing a sea monster. In Japan, the whale shark is called ebisuzame and is considered good luck. In Vietnam it is known as Ca Ong. Vietnamese fisherman pray to a god of the same name. Individual members of the species have been known to be 60 feet long, but 32 feet is more common for an adult whale shark. Whale sharks are darker in color than many other sharks, with a gray to blue back and a white belly. These sharks also have unique patterns of spots and lines on their backs and sides. Whale sharks have huge heads that are broad and flat, and end in a giant mouth. Despite their appearance, these sharks are docile and harmless. Whale sharks are suction feeders. They have long gill rakers which they use to suck plankton, tiny crustaceans, and small fish into their mouths. The small teeth that line their mouths are used only to hold food inside and keep it from swimming away. When a whale shark finds a school of small fish, it feeds by bobbing up and down, filling its mouth each time it passes through the school. The whale shark lives in tropical and warm temperate waters in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Although they much prefer warm water, whale sharks have been found as far north as Long Island, off the coast of the northeastern United States. Usually, these gentle fish can be found swimming slowly near the surface, looking for food. Because of their huge size, whale sharks are homes to other animals - jacks and pilot fish live on whale sharks, like a reef. Whale sharks are not social fish, rarely found in groups. Scientists have never seen a whale shark give birth, but they have found egg sacs in pregnant females. This suggests that females hatch eggs inside of them and then give birth to live young. Like many sharks, fishing for whale sharks is strictly controlled, since over fishing and fin harvesting have greatly reduced populations. Although whale sharks are not dangerous to people, they can be a danger to navigation -- collisions with ships can cause a great deal of damage. |
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70
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80
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75
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70
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20
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35
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-5
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No
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To build a good animal exhibit you need to ask a few questions: (click them for the answers) |
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Which tank wall is suitable for this animal? Remember that all tanks need a tank filter! |
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How big should the exhibit be and what Depth should the tank be? |
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Does this animal perform in a show? |
No |
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See Through |
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Concrete Edge and Glass |
$125 |
Yes |
3 |
500 |
13 |
10.4 |
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Atlantean Tank Wall |
$125 |
Yes |
3 |
500 |
13 |
10.4 |
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Solid Concrete |
$125 |
No |
3 |
500 |
13 |
10.4 |
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Black Bar and Glass |
$130 |
Yes |
3 |
500 |
13 |
10.0 |
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Number of Animals/Exhibit |
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20 |
1 |
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3 |
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| TankDepth |
6
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28
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
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| Saltwater |
100
|
20
|
40
|
60
|
80
|
100
|
120
|
140
|
160
|
180
|
200
|
|
12
|
10
|
19
|
29
|
38
|
48
|
58
|
67
|
77
|
86
|
96
|
|
|
18
|
4
|
7
|
11
|
14
|
18
|
22
|
25
|
29
|
32
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36
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Exhibit Size |
100
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20
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40
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60
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80
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100
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120
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140
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160
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180
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200
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7417
|
8
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Sea
Grass
|
8
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$100
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8.0
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|
7407
|
6
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Feather
Duster Worm
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6
|
$120
|
5.0
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|
7419
|
6
|
Stove
Pipe Sponge
|
6
|
$150
|
4.0
|
|
7406
|
6
|
Divercate
Tree Coral
|
6
|
$125
|
4.8
|
|
7408
|
6
|
Fire
Coral
|
6
|
$150
|
4.0
|
|
7409
|
3
|
Kelp
|
3
|
$125
|
2.4
|
|
7410
|
3
|
Sea
Lettuce
|
3
|
$110
|
2.7
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|
7404
|
3
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Clam
Bed
|
3
|
$125
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2.4
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|
7401
|
3
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Barnacles
|
3
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$75
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4.0
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7415
|
3
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Sea
Star
|
3
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$125
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2.4
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|
7416
|
3
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Seaweed
|
3
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$100
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3.0
|
|
7405
|
3
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Orange
Cup Coral
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3
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$155
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1.9
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|
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|
9235
|
6
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Small
Ocean Floor Rock
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1
|
1
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Yes
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24
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$100
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24.0
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|
9239
|
6
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Large
Coral Formation
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4
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6
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Yes
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6
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$175
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3.4
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|
9238
|
6
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Medium
Ocean Floor Rock
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2
|
2
|
Yes
|
6
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$150
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4.0
|
|
9237
|
6
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Large
Ocean Floor Rock
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4
|
4
|
Yes
|
6
|
$165
|
3.6
|
|
9236
|
6
|
Medium
Coral Formation
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4
|
4
|
Yes
|
6
|
$150
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4.0
|
|
9241
|
6
|
Isle
Rock
|
8
|
8
|
Yes
|
6
|
$150
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4.0
|
|
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none |
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6466
|
Fake
Clam
|
100
|
$185
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|
6468
|
Treasure
Chest
|
100
|
$185
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|
6470
|
Deep
Sea Diver
|
100
|
$200
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| High |
5 |
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ReproductionInterval(months): |
21 |
-12 |
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| 97 |
10 |
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| 2 |
TimeDeath(months): |
36 |
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BabyToAdult(months): |
4 |
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| -10 | -20 | ||
| 5 | 60 | ||
| -5 | -5 | ||
| 20 | 1 | ||
| -10 | -15 | ||
| -10 | -15 | ||
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| none | Krill | ||
| Lion's Mane Jelly | |||
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