The Ningaloo Reef, Cape Range and Exmouth Gulf together form a special biogeographic zone. The interrelationships between the diverse habitats create conditions that allow tropical and temperate marine and terrestrial animals and plants to thrive. These special conditions have enabled the evolution of species unique to the area. The gorges and canyons of Cape Range provide shelter for over 30 species of mammals including Black-footed wallabies, euros, red kangaroos. Emus and a variety of other bird life are found in the Cape Range. Whale sharks come to the Ningaloo Reef every year to feed on plankton. These gentle giants of the sea can grow to more than 12 metres long and weigh more than 11 tonnes. Other marine mammals that frequent Ningaloo waters are humpback, minky, fin, blue and killer whales, bottle nose dolphins, dugongs and Australian sea lions. Seabirds and migratory waders, including species listed under international conservation conventions, use the coast, wetlands and reef waters as resting, feeding and breeding sites.