Basking shark

The Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is the second-largest living shark, after the whale shark, and one of three plankton-eating shark species, alongside the whale shark and the megamouth shark. This gentle giant is known for its massive size, slow swimming speed, and distinctive habit of feeding with its huge mouth wide open. Basking sharks are found in temperate waters around the world, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, often seen close to the surface, basking in the sun, which is how they got their name.

Description

Basking sharks can reach lengths of up to 12 meters (39 feet), making them the largest fish in the Atlantic Ocean. They have a conical snout, large gill slits that cover almost the entire width of their head, and a unique filtering system within their gills that allows them to feed on plankton. Despite their size, basking sharks pose no threat to humans.

Habitat and Distribution

Basking sharks prefer temperate seas and are commonly found in the coastal waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean. They migrate seasonally, moving towards the equator in the winter and returning to cooler waters in the summer. Their migratory patterns are still not fully understood.

Diet

The diet of the basking shark consists mainly of plankton, small fish, and invertebrates. They feed by swimming with their mouths open, filtering their prey through gill rakers. This feeding behavior is known as filter feeding.

Conservation Status

The basking shark is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their populations have declined due to overfishing, bycatch in fishing nets, and the demand for their fins, meat, and oil. Conservation efforts are in place to protect these magnificent creatures, including fishing regulations and protected areas.

Cultural Significance

In some cultures, basking sharks have been a source of food, oil, and even medicine. However, their slow reproduction rate makes them highly vulnerable to exploitation. Today, they are more often celebrated for their majestic presence in the ocean and are a popular subject for wildlife tourism and marine conservation efforts.

See Also

• Shark
• Whale Shark
• Megamouth Shark
• Marine Conservation

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Basking shark gallery

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  Cetorhinus maximus by Greg Skomal

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  Basking Shark Scale Chart SVG Steveoc86 001

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  A Basking Shark beaten by the northerly winds

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  Basking head

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  Basking Shark

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  BS4 small

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  Basking shark Harper's Weekly October 24, 1868