Shark vs. Whale: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on December 29, 2023
Sharks are predatory fish with cartilaginous skeletons, while whales are large marine mammals with bony skeletons.
Key Differences
Sharks, known for their streamlined bodies and sharp teeth, are a diverse group of fish that play a crucial role as apex predators in the ocean ecosystem. In contrast, whales, ranging from the massive blue whale to the smaller beluga, are mammals known for their intelligence, complex social structures, and, in some species, their song.
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Dec 29, 2023
The reproductive systems of sharks and whales are markedly different. Sharks can reproduce through several methods, including oviparity, ovoviviparity, and viviparity, depending on the species. Whales, as mammals, give live birth to their young after a gestation period.
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Dec 29, 2023
Sharks breathe through gills, extracting oxygen from water, which is a characteristic of fish. Whales, on the other hand, have lungs and breathe air at the surface, which is typical of mammals.
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The skin of sharks is covered with tiny, tooth-like structures called denticles, which reduces drag and provides protection. Whales, conversely, have smooth skin and, in many species, a layer of blubber for insulation in cold waters.
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Dec 29, 2023
In terms of diet, most sharks are carnivorous, feeding on smaller fish and invertebrates. Whales have varied diets: some, like the blue whale, filter-feed on tiny organisms like krill, while others, like the orca, are apex predators.
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Comparison Chart
Reproduction
Various methods (oviparity, viviparity, etc.)
Live birth, as mammals
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Respiration
Gills for extracting oxygen from water
Lungs, breathe air at the surface
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Skin and Protection
Covered with denticles
Smooth skin, often with a layer of blubber
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Shark and Whale Definitions
Shark
A predatory fish known for its sharp teeth and agility in water.
The great white shark is one of the most recognized species in the ocean.
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Whale
A large marine mammal with a streamlined body and a blowhole for breathing.
The blue whale is the largest animal ever known to have existed.
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Shark
To obtain something by cunning or deception.
He sharked his way into the exclusive club.
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Whale
A person who spends or gambles large amounts of money.
In the casino, he was known as a whale, always betting big.
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Shark
To play pool, billiards, etc., with skill and cunning, often deceiving opponents about one's ability.
He sharked his opponent out of fifty dollars in the pool game.
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Whale
An exceptionally large or impressive example of something.
That new truck of his is a real whale.
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Shark
Any of numerous cartilaginous fishes of the subclass Elasmobranchii that are chiefly carnivorous and marine. Sharks have a streamlined torpedolike body, five to seven gill openings on each side of the head, a large oil-filled liver, and tough skin covered with small toothlike scales.
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Whale
To engage enthusiastically in an activity or hobby.
They spent the whole afternoon whaling away at their new project.
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Shark
(Informal)A person, such as a loan shark, who takes advantage of the misfortune of others for personal gain.
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Shark
(Informal)A person unusually skilled in a particular activity
A card shark.
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Whale
Any of various larger members of this order, including the blue whale, humpback whale, and right whale, in contrast to the porpoises and dolphins.
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Shark
To take advantage of others for personal gain, especially by fraud and trickery.
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Shark
(ichthyology) A scaleless, predatory fish of the superorder Selachimorpha, with a cartilaginous skeleton and 5 to 7 gill slits on each side of its head.
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Shark
A university student who is not a fresher that has engaged in sexual activity with a fresher; usually habitually and with multiple people.
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Whale
To strike or hit a person or thing repeatedly and forcefully
Whaled away at the plaster wall with a mallet.
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Shark
Someone who exploits others, for example by trickery, lies, usury, extortion.
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Whale
Any one of numerous large marine mammals comprising an informal group within infraorder Cetacea that usually excludes dolphins and porpoises.
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Shark
(informal) A relentless and resolute person or group, especially in business.
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Shark
(informal) A very good poker or pool player. Compare fish (a bad poker player).
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Whale
(gambling) In a casino, a person who routinely bets at the maximum limit allowable.
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Shark
Of a university student who is not a fresher, to engage in sexual activity with a fresher, or to be at a bar or club with the general intention of engaging in such activity.
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Whale
A person who spends large amounts of money on things that are marketed to them.
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Whale
Any aquatic mammal of the order Cetacea, especially any one of the large species, some of which become nearly one hundred feet long. Whales are hunted chiefly for their oil and baleen, or whalebone.
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Shark
Any one of numerous species of elasmobranch fishes of the order Plagiostomi, found in all seas.
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Whale
Any of the larger cetacean mammals having a streamlined body and breathing through a blowhole on the head
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Whale
To strike or hit repeatedly and forcefully.
He whaled on the door in frustration.
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Shark
To play the petty thief; to practice fraud or trickery; to swindle.
Neither sharks for a cup or a reckoning.
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Shark
Any of numerous elongate mostly marine carnivorous fishes with heterocercal caudal fins and tough skin covered with small toothlike scales
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Shark
A person who is adept in a particular activity, especially in business or gambling.
He's a real estate shark, known for his aggressive business tactics.
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Shark
A sharp, unscrupulous person.
Watch out for that sales shark; he'll try to upsell unnecessary items.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are sharks warm-blooded?
Most sharks are cold-blooded, but some, like the great white, are partially warm-blooded.
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Do whales sleep?
Yes, but they rest half their brain at a time to remain semi-conscious and breathe.
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Are sharks endangered?
Many species are threatened or endangered due to overfishing and habitat loss.
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How do whales communicate?
Whales communicate through vocalizations, clicks, and songs, especially humpback whales.
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What do sharks eat?
Diet varies by species, from plankton to fish and marine mammals.
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Can whales hear well?
Yes, whales have acute hearing and use sound for navigation and communication.
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How many species of sharks are there?
Over 500 species of sharks have been identified.
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Can whales breathe underwater?
No, whales need to surface to breathe air through their blowholes.
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How long can sharks live?
Lifespan varies, but some sharks, like the Greenland shark, can live for centuries.
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Are sharks solitary creatures?
It depends on the species; some are solitary, while others, like hammerheads, form schools.
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Do sharks lay eggs?
Some do, but others give live birth, depending on the species.
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Do whales form social bonds?
Yes, many species, like orcas, have complex social structures and strong family bonds.
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Do all whales have teeth?
No, some whales have baleen plates for filter-feeding, like the blue whale.
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How fast can whales swim?
Speed varies; the orca can swim up to 34 mph (56 km/h).
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What's the biggest threat to whales?
Major threats include climate change, pollution, and commercial whaling.
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Can sharks stop swimming?
Most need to keep moving to breathe, but some, like nurse sharks, can pump water over their gills.
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Do whales have a good sense of smell?
Whales generally rely more on hearing and echolocation than on smell.
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What's the largest type of shark?
The whale shark, which can grow up to 40 feet long, is the largest.
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How deep can whales dive?
Some species, like the sperm whale, can dive over 3,280 feet deep.
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Are all sharks predators?
Most are, but some, like the whale shark, are filter feeders.
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Dec 29, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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