How much energy do whale sharks get from the sun? In percentage %
Whale sharks do not get energy directly from the sun like plants do through photosynthesis. They are heterotrophic animals, meaning they rely on consuming other organisms for energy. As filter feeders, whale sharks mainly feed on plankton, krill, and small fish, which indirectly derive energy from the sun by feeding on photosynthetic organisms.
Therefore, whale sharks do not receive a direct percentage of energy from the sun. The energy they obtain is through the food chain and is ultimately sourced from the sun's energy captured by photosynthetic organisms.
could you give me an estimation percentage?
While it's not possible to give an exact percentage, we can make a rough estimation. The primary producers in the ocean, such as phytoplankton, capture only a small fraction of the sun's energy through photosynthesis. This energy is then transferred through the food chain to higher trophic levels, including the plankton, fish, and krill that whale sharks feed on.
As energy gets transferred from one trophic level to another, around 10% is typically transferred. This means that only about 10% of the energy from the sun captured by phytoplankton would reach the level of energy available to whale sharks. However, it is important to note that this is a very approximate estimation and there are many factors that can influence the energy transfer and availability for whale sharks.
To determine the amount of energy whale sharks receive from the sun, we can estimate it by looking at the primary source of energy for marine ecosystems, which is photosynthesis. Although whale sharks do not directly rely on photosynthesis, they are part of the marine food web and indirectly benefit from the sun's energy.
Photosynthesis involves the conversion of sunlight into organic energy through the process of plants and algae converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen. This organic energy gets transferred up the food chain as marine organisms consume plants or other animals.
In the case of whale sharks, their primary food source is plankton, including small fish, shrimp, and other microscopic organisms. These smaller organisms, in turn, consume algae and other plant-like organisms that do rely on photosynthesis.
However, estimating the exact percentage of solar energy that reaches whale sharks is a complex task due to the dynamic nature of food chains and energy transfer. Additionally, other factors such as geographical location, seasonal changes, and the availability of prey affect the amount of energy obtained by whale sharks.
While it's challenging to provide a precise percentage, it's safe to say that whale sharks ultimately derive a portion of their energy indirectly from the sun as solar energy sustains the food chain and ecosystem in which they participate.