Whale Shark Festival - 15th - 19th July, Isla Mujeres, Mexico - Preserve the Marine Ecosystem

Whale Shark Festival - 15th - 19th July, Isla Mujeres, Mexico - Preserve the Marine Ecosystem
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Edward_Lee]Peter Edward Lee

Help Protect - The Whale Shark

Without doubt, the largest of all the mammals of the sea, weighing an approximate 20.9 tonnes and equivalent to the size of a bus, about 45ft long, that can live up to 150 years old. Whale Sharks are viviparous, (bringing forth young alive). Newborns are over 2 feet long and become sexually mature at 30 years of age.

The Whale Shark is harmless to us humans as they live on the plankton in the sea and will generally scoop up whatever comes too close, especially shoals of sardines and mackerel. Amazingly, they use a form of filtration which separates the plankton from the water (plus anything that gets in the way) by closing its mouth and forcing the water out via its gills and keeping the rest. The Whale Shark has a flattened head, blunt snout and barbels protruding from its nostrils. Rhincodon Typus, The Whale Shark, has sides and back that are grey to brown with white spots and horizontal and vertical pale stripes. This, along with its white belly and the rearward two dorsal fins and a large dual lobbed caudal fin or tail make it a formidable opponent.

Preferring warmer waters, the Whale Shark tends to populate the more tropical seas and then they tend to migrate to the continental shelf of Australia (central west coast) each spring. Spawning then begins around the Ningaloo Reef, ideal with ample amounts of plankton available.

Whilst venerable and threatened species, they are still hunted in many parts of the world, including Taiwan and the Philippines and are in danger of becoming extinct.

On the weekend of July 15th - 19th July , there is the Whale Shark Festival aimed at promoting the preservation of the fragile marine ecosystem, and the tracking of Shark Whales throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, will be held on Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico. This is one of the rare occasions that one can see these amazing creatures in their own environment and realise the awe of their existence.

Whale Sharks are solitary creatures. However for several years now they have come to the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula to feed and mate during the months of May through to October.

Ask around at the docks or downtown Isla Mujeres, for a local fisherman to take you on a boat trip to see the Whale Sharks; be prepared to spend five or six hours viewing these fabulous mammals.

During the Festival 15th - 19th July, Isla Mujeres welcomes thousands of visitors. To help you find your way around the Island and its facilities, please go to the following website http://www.islamujeres.co.uk

Peter

Peter Edward Lee, Swanage, UK Regular Visitor to Isla Mujeres. Isla Mujeres Holidays Rentals is a UK based Business promoting Isla Mujeres Holiday Accommodation. Please visit http://www.islamujeres.co.uk All new registration are entered into a £50.00 FREE DRAW for a Marks and Spencer Voucher. Take a Glimpse, I am Sure you will not be Disappointed!

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