What is the Difference Between Shark and Whale?

Sharks and whales are both large marine predators, but they have several key differences:

1. Classification: Sharks are fish, while whales are mammals.
2. Skeletons: Sharks have cartilaginous skeletons, while whales have bony skeletons.
3. Breathing: Sharks breathe through gills, while whales breathe through lungs.
4. Size: Whales are generally larger than sharks, with the blue whale being the largest mammal on Earth.
5. Reproduction: Whales give birth to live young and feed them with milk, while sharks lay eggs.
6. Behavior: Whales are known to be more friendly towards humans and other marine animals, while sharks are often considered more aggressive.
7. Tails: Sharks have a more pronounced dorsal fin and a vertical tail that propels them through the water with a horizontal motion. Whales, on the other hand, have a tail that moves up and down, similar to how mammals move on land.

In summary, sharks and whales differ in their classification, skeletal structure, breathing mechanisms, size, reproduction, behavior, and tail movements.

Comparative Table: Shark vs Whale

Sharks and whales are both large marine animals, but they have several key differences. Here is a table comparing their characteristics:

Sharks are fish with a cartilage skeleton, while whales are mammals with a bony skeleton. Sharks have gills for breathing and dermal denticles covering their skin, whereas whales have lungs for breathing and smooth skin or hair covering their bodies. Sharks have teeth arranged in rows and fixed in the gum, while whales have fixed teeth in the dental arch. Sharks swim by moving their tails from side-to-side, while whales swim by moving their tails up-and-down. Size-wise, the largest shark species, the whale shark, can grow up to 40 feet long and weigh up to 20 tons, while the blue whale, for example, is much larger in size but lighter in weight.