Category Archives: Sharks

Why Do Whale Sharks Eat Plankton? Why the Biggest Sharks Eat Tiny Food

Celebrate Shark Awareness Month with a surprising science lesson

When students imagine the biggest animals in the ocean, they often picture fierce predators with enormous teeth. So they’re usually amazed to discover that the largest shark in the world – and even the biggest whales – feed on some of the smallest creatures in the ocean. So, why do sharks eat plankton

Download your free Shark Awareness Month classroom activity sheet at foot of article

It sounds impossible. Why would a 12-metre whale shark or a 30-metre humpback whale spend its day eating animals no bigger than your fingernail?

This fascinating question is the perfect way to spark curiosity during Shark Awareness Month (July) and Shark Awareness Day, while exploring food chains, adaptations and marine ecosystems.

Meet Queensland’s Gentle Giants

Queensland waters are home to some incredible marine animals, including species that rely on tiny marine life to survive.

🦈 Whale Shark

Despite being the largest fish on Earth, whale sharks feed almost entirely on plankton, tiny fish eggs and small schooling fish.

Instead of chasing large prey, they simply swim slowly through the water with their enormous mouths open, filtering thousands of litres of seawater every hour.

Although whale sharks are occasional visitors to South East Queensland, they are more commonly seen around the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef.

Whale shark fast facts

Is a whale shark a shark?

🐋 Humpback Whale

Every winter, thousands of humpback whales migrate along the Queensland coast, passing places like Noosa, Mooloolaba and the Sunshine Coast.

These enormous mammals also feed on surprisingly small animals – mainly krill and other tiny crustaceans during their time in Antarctic waters before migrating north to breed.

Their baleen plates act like giant sieves, allowing them to trap huge amounts of food while letting seawater escape.

So…Why Eat Tiny Animals?

The answer is simple:

There are billions of them!

Tiny marine organisms like plankton and krill are among the most abundant living things on Earth.

Instead of hunting one large meal, whale sharks and baleen whales efficiently collect thousands – or even millions – of tiny animals in every mouthful.

Scientists call this filter feeding.

It is one of the most efficient feeding strategies in the ocean.

What Exactly Is Plankton?

Many students think plankton is just one type of animal.

In fact, plankton describes any tiny organism that drifts with ocean currents.

Some plankton are microscopic plants called phytoplankton, while others are tiny animals known as zooplankton.

These organisms form the foundation of almost every marine food chain.

Without plankton, there would be no fish, whales or sharks.

Amazing Ocean Adaptations

Filter-feeding animals have evolved remarkable adaptations.

Whale Sharks

Huge mouths over one metre wide
Tiny teeth that are rarely used
Special filtering pads that trap food
Gentle swimming behaviour

Baleen Whales

No teeth
Hundreds of baleen plates made from keratin
Powerful tongues
Huge expandable throats for gulp feeding

These adaptations help them collect enormous amounts of food while using very little energy.

Queensland Connection

Did you know?

Each winter, South East Queensland becomes one of Australia’s best places to observe humpback whales during their annual migration.

Students may even spot whales from:

Noosa National Park
Point Lookout (North Stradbroke Island)
Cape Moreton
Mooloolaba coastline
Coolum and Peregian beaches

This makes Shark Awareness Month the perfect time to compare two of the ocean’s most impressive filter feeders – the whale shark and the humpback whale.

Where can Australian Students See Whale Sharks?

Include information such as:

Ningaloo Reef (WA) hosts the world’s best-known seasonal whale shark aggregation.
Whale sharks are occasionally seen in Queensland waters.

Classroom Activities (Years 7–9) – See Activity Handout Below

1. Bigger Isn’t Always Scarier

Show students pictures of:

Great White Shark
Whale Shark
Humpback Whale

Ask:

Which one do you think eats the biggest prey?

Students are often surprised by the answer.

2. Build a Marine Food Chain

Challenge students to create a food web beginning with:

Sunlight → Phytoplankton → Zooplankton → Small Fish → Larger Fish → Sharks

Then compare it with:

Sunlight → Phytoplankton → Zooplankton → Whale Shark

Sunlight → Phytoplankton → Krill → Humpback Whale

Discuss how different species occupy different roles within marine ecosystems.

3. Design a Filter Feeder

Ask students to invent their own giant marine animal.

They should decide:

How does it collect food?
What adaptations does it need?
Where does it live?
What does it eat?
How does it survive?

Students can label their design and explain how their adaptations help them feed efficiently.

4. STEM Challenge: Can You Filter Like a Whale?

Using everyday classroom materials, students design and test a simple filter that separates different-sized particles from water.

Encourage them to investigate:

Which materials worked best?
What particle sizes were captured?
How is this similar to baleen or a whale shark’s filtering system?

This hands-on investigation introduces engineering design, observation and scientific inquiry.

Check out our other whale resources here.

Why Sharks Matter

Shark Awareness Month is about much more than changing people’s perceptions of sharks.

It is an opportunity to help students understand that sharks perform many different ecological roles.

While some species are top predators, others – like the whale shark – are gentle filter feeders that depend on healthy plankton populations and balanced marine ecosystems.

Protecting sharks helps protect the entire ocean. Check out our other shark resources here.

Australian Curriculum Links

This topic supports learning across Years 7–9, including:

Science: Ecosystems, adaptations, food webs and biodiversity.
Science Inquiry: Questioning, predicting, investigating and analysing evidence.
Design and Technologies: Designing and testing filter-feeding models.
Sustainability Cross-Curriculum Priority: Understanding healthy marine ecosystems and biodiversity conservation.

Bring Marine Science to Life

Want your students to experience marine science firsthand?

Ocean Life Education’s interactive incursions bring live marine animals into Queensland schools, helping students explore shark adaptations, marine food webs, ocean conservation and the incredible diversity of Australia’s coastal ecosystems.

Our curriculum-aligned programs inspire curiosity while supporting learning across Science, Geography and Sustainability.

Find out more about our live marine education incursions and discover how we can bring the wonders of the ocean to your classroom.

Book a Primary Ocean Science Incursion for Your School

Download your free Shark Awareness Month classroom activity sheet here

Thank you for reading: Why Do the Biggest Sharks Eat Tiny Animals?

Author: Hayley Gee, Marine Educator, Ocean Life Education

Shark Incursions Brisbane

Looking for topical Shark Incursions in Brisbane that are hands-on, curriculum-aligned and unforgettable?

Ocean Life Education delivers engaging marine education programs to Brisbane Early Learning Centres and Primary Schools, bringing live sharks and other marine animals, shark artefacts and ocean science directly into your classroom.

It’s not just a visit. It’s a deep dive into understanding the local ocean – and why sharks matter more than most people realise.

Why Book a Shark Incursion for Your Brisbane School?

When schools search for marine education incursions in Brisbane, they’re looking for programs that are:

✔ Aligned with the Australian Curriculum & EYLF
✔ Age-appropriate for Early Years and Primary
✔ Science-based and engaging
✔ Memorable and interactive
✔ Delivered by qualified marine educators

Ocean Life Education’s Shark Incursion Brisbane programs tick every box – while also building environmental awareness and critical thinking skills. And what’s more, kids get to meet a real live shark!

Book an Incursion Now

Why Sharks Are Crucial to Ecosystems (And Why Kids Need to Know)

Sharks are apex predators – which means they sit at the top of the food chain. Their role is essential for:

✔ Maintaining balance in marine food webs

✔ Preventing overpopulation of mid-level species

✔ Protecting coral reefs and seagrass beds

✔ Supporting biodiversity across the ocean

When shark populations decline, entire ecosystems can suffer.

Teaching students about sharks helps replace fear with understanding – and empowers them to see how healthy oceans connect directly to healthy communities, climate stability and even the seafood industries we rely on.

Education builds future ocean stewards.

Early Years Shark Incursions (EYLF Aligned) 🐠

For Brisbane Kindergartens and Early Learning Centres, our shark incursions focus on sensory exploration, curiosity and foundational science concepts.

Students explore:

✔ Marine habitats

✔Animal features and adaptations

✔ Simple food chains

✔ Respect for living creatures

Live animal interaction and observation of a real shark, as well as tactile experiences help young learners connect emotionally with marine life – an important step in developing environmental empathy.

Suggested Follow-Up Activities (EY):

🐚 Marine sensory tubs with shells and ocean textures

📖 Shark storytelling and movement play

🎨 Paint and label “parts of a shark”

🌊 Habitat matching games – focusing on local habitat, such as the Brisbane River, The Great Barrier Reef, or The Sunshine Coast coastal region.

These all align perfectly with EYLF Outcomes.

See our SHARK RESOURCES

Primary School Shark Incursions Brisbane 🦈

For Primary students across Brisbane and South East Queensland, programs go deeper into marine science and ecosystems.

Students investigate:

✔ Shark biology and adaptations

✔ Predator-prey relationships

✔ Food webs and ecosystem balance

✔ Human impact and conservation

✔ Shark myths vs facts

Observing a real shark and real shark jaws and artefacts create a powerful learning moment that students remember long after the session ends.

Suggested Follow-Up Activities (Primary):

🧠 Build a Marine Food Web
Students create a visual web showing sharks at the top and explore what happens if they’re removed. This can focus around local species, such as turtles and local types of fish.

📊 Shark Species Research Task
Compare different shark species, habitats and conservation status. Look at what different shark species live in local rivers and off the coast of Queensland and the human impact on them.

🎨 Ocean Conservation Campaign Posters
Encourage persuasive writing and sustainability awareness using local issues such as the Nets Out Now Campaign or considering shark bite incidents that have affected Australia recently, such as in Sydney.

🔬 Adaptation Investigation Stations
Match shark features (teeth, fins, gills) to survival functions.

These activities support Australian Curriculum Science strands including Biological Sciences and Sustainability cross-curriculum priorities.

See our SHARK RESOURCES

Shark Education in Brisbane: Why It Matters

Brisbane is a coastal city. Many students regularly visit beaches across South East Queensland and sharks inhabit our local waterways and coastline. Sharks are a very topical and living case study for Brisbane children, which assists in bringing learning to life.

Understanding sharks through education:

Reduces fear and misinformation
Promotes safer ocean behaviour
Builds marine science literacy
Encourages environmental responsibility

When children learn that sharks help protect reefs, regulate ecosystems and maintain ocean health, they begin to see the ocean as an interconnected system – not just a place to swim.

That shift in thinking is powerful.

Read our blog: Why (Shark) Ocean Education Matters More than Ever.

Book a Shark Incursion in Brisbane

Ocean Life Education has delivered thousands of marine education sessions across Brisbane and Queensland.

Bring the ocean to your classroom – and inspire the next generation of ocean guardians.

Useful Links

Thank you for reading: Shark Incursions Brisbane

Author: Hayey Gee

A Summer of Tragedy: Why Ocean Education Matters More Than Ever

The recent series of shark encounters in Sydney, including one tragic fatality, is a sobering reminder of why education about the ocean and its inhabitants is so important. While these events are devastating, they also highlight a crucial truth: understanding marine environments, shark behaviour, and safe swimming practices can significantly reduce the risk of dangerous encounters.

If more people had a basic understanding of shark movement patterns, feeding behaviour, and how weather events affect ocean conditions, many of these incidents may have been avoided.

How Heavy Rain Changes Shark Behaviour

Over summer, Sydney experienced substantial rainfall. This causes large volumes of freshwater, along with pollution and runoff, to flow into rivers, canals, and bays. Bull sharks, which often inhabit these areas, are forced out of their usual environments in search of cleaner, saltier water.

As a result, they move along the coastline and closer to popular recreational areas such as Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

However, even coastal water after heavy rain is often murky and dirty. In low-visibility conditions, sharks cannot rely on sight to hunt. Instead, they detect vibrations in the water. Erratic splashing or surface movement can feel like injured fish or prey, causing sharks to investigate. They do this with their mouths, which can result in catastrophic injuries to humans.

It’s important to understand that sharks – including bull sharks – do not consider humans to be food. These encounters are cases of mistaken identity.

Safer Swimming Starts With Knowledge – The Message is Simple & Clear:

Avoid swimming in murky or dirty water, especially after heavy rain

Don’t swim at dawn or dusk, when visibility is low and sharks are more actively feeding

Pay attention to water conditions, warnings, and local advice

If more people were armed with this knowledge, safer swimming practices would be far more widely followed – and the risk of incidents would be greatly reduced.

Education, Not Fear, Is the Answer

We must learn to live with the environment and all that is in it, not try to change it to suit ourselves. Culling sharks is not the answer to making the ocean safer.

Education is.

By teaching children and adults how ocean ecosystems work, how animals behave, and how to safely enjoy our beaches, we empower people to make smarter, safer choices – and protect both humans and marine life.

At Ocean Life Education, this is exactly what we believe in: building understanding, respect, and knowledge so we can all enjoy the ocean more safely and responsibly.

Useful Links

Our Educational Programs

Shark Teaching Resources & Courses

ABC Article: Living with fear of sharks is part of life in the ocean

Thank you for reading: A Summer of Tragedy: Why Ocean Education Matters More Than Ever

Teaching Kids About Sharks: Their Crucial Role in Ocean Ecosystems

When we ask kids about sharks, their first response is often fear or fascination. Either way, they are often very passionate about the subject, which provides a great basis for learning. Sharks play a crucial role in ocean ecosystems, making them an ideal subject for cross-curricular learning in primary classrooms – integrating science, geography, literacy, and citizenship.

🌊 Why Sharks Matter in Ocean Ecosystems

Sharks are apex predators. As top-level predators, they help maintain the balance of marine life, supporting the health of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other critical habitats. Without sharks, our ocean ecosystems can become unstable, leading to the overpopulation of some species and the collapse of others.

Link: Ocean Life Education Video – Why We Need Sharks

🦈 Sharks are Guardians of the Ocean

Movies and myths often cast sharks as villains, but they’re essential guardians of the ocean. Teaching kids about sharks helps bust common myths and builds respect for these incredible animals. It also opens up conversations around the marine food chain, shark conservation, and the importance of protecting ocean biodiversity.

Shark Resources from Ocean Life Education

🔍 What Role Do Sharks Play in the Ecosystem?

Balance Marine Populations
Sharks regulate the populations of prey species like rays and smaller fish, preventing them from overgrazing critical habitats like seagrass and coral reefs.
Support Ocean Biodiversity
By preying on weak or sick individuals, sharks help keep marine species healthy, promoting genetic strength and ecological balance.
Drive Evolution
Sharks influence the behaviour and evolution of other marine animals. Their presence encourages adaptive traits and survival strategies in prey species. Watch our Shark Adaptation Mini Video here and check out our Adaptation themed programs.
Indicate Ocean Health
A thriving shark population is a key sign of a healthy ocean. Sharp declines in shark numbers often signal wider problems in the marine food web, with long-term consequences for both wildlife and human communities.

📚 Cross-Curricular Classroom Connections

Teaching about sharks links to several key areas of the version 9 Australian Curriculum:

Science (Biological Sciences): Study food chains, life cycles, animal adaptations, and ocean habitats. See our Primary Incursions with these themes.

Geography: Explore the distribution of shark species and the environmental conditions they need.

English: Inspire persuasive writing, shark fact files, and conservation-themed research projects. See our Ocean Literacy Incursions.

Civics & Citizenship: Discuss human impact on marine environments and ethical issues such as East Coast Australia’s shark nets, shark finning and overfishing.

🧠 Shark-Themed Learning Activities

Use these ideas to bring Shark Awareness Day or any ocean unit to life:

🌐 Create a shark food web to show energy flow in ocean ecosystems.

🔍 Research shark species, comparing their roles, habitats, and adaptations such as shark teeth. Watch our shark teeth video here.

📢 Host a Shark Awareness Day where students present posters, speeches, or science reports.

⚖️ Debate topics like the use of shark nets on the East Coast of Australia or shark finning.

🎨 Design posters promoting shark conservation for kids and families.

Book a shark focused Primary Incursion with Ocean Life Education

🐠 Shark Resources and Programs

✅ Explore our Shark Discovery Program for Early Years – hands-on, interactive learning for young ocean lovers.

✅ Dive into our Primary School Programs, which can be tailored to explore shark roles in healthy ocean ecosystems.

✅ Download shark resources and teaching aids and printable resources to support your lesson planning.

✅ Take our online Shark Course – Amazing Sharks – learn the facts and get certified!

🌱 Inspiring Future Ocean Guardians

Teaching kids that sharks are not to be feared, but respected and protected, helps shape a generation of informed, compassionate global citizens. By exploring sharks’ importance in the marine environment, we can nurture curiosity, boost critical thinking, and encourage action to protect our oceans.

Example alignment version 9 Science Curriculum

Year 4: AC9S4U01 – consumers, producers and decomposers within a habitat, food chains
Year 7: AC9S7U02 – food webs, energy flow in ecosystems, abiotic and biotic factors on populations

About Ocean Life Education

Ocean Life Education is committed to inspiring young Australians to appreciate and understand the wonders of our marine environments. Through engaging, hands-on programs that support version 9 of the Australian curriculum, we bring the ocean into classrooms and outdoor learning spaces in a way that’s fun, educational, and memorable. Each experience is tailored to meet the unique needs of your school or event, with a strong focus on local marine topics.

Our sessions feature live marine animals and interactive displays, giving students the chance to connect directly with the natural world. By encouraging curiosity and building environmental awareness, we empower children to take an active role in caring for our oceans and the incredible life they support.

For more information about what we do, check out Ocean Life Education.

We hoped you enjoyed reading our blog: Teaching Kids About Sharks: Their Crucial Role in Ocean Ecosystems

Here’s a link to our other curriculum themed blogs