image:
noaa.gov
Description:
The massive Basking Shark is the world's
second largest fish. Only the Whale Shark
is larger. The Basking Shark is mostly brown
or gray above and whitish below. Its most
striking characteristics are its gigantic
mouth, and long, pointed snout. It can grow
to a length of 33 feet, though most individuals
range from 20-26 feet in length. The Basking
Shark can weigh between 5-10 tons, though
at least one individual caught in a fishing
net weighed an estimated 19 tons. Basking
Sharks are often observed with heavy scarring,
probably from encounters with lampreys or
other sharks. The Basking Shark's huge liver
accounts for up to 25% of its body weight
and is thought to aid in buoyancy regulation
and energy storage. Like the Whale Shark,
the Basking Shark is a slow swimmer and
has thousands of teeth, only a small amount
of which are useful.
Despite its large size, the Basking Shark
is harmless to humans. In fact, Basking
Sharks will not even get out of the way
of approaching boats. Although they have
few predators, Orcas and tiger sharks occasionally
attack.
Diet:
The Basking Shark is a filter feeder. It
filters up to 2,000 tons of water per hour
and consumes the left over zooplankton,
small fish and invertebrates.
Range/Habitat:
The Basking Shark is found throughout the
world in boreal, tropical, and temperate
oceans. It generally prefers water between
46 and 57 degrees Fahrenheit. It frequently
patrols waters close to shore and will even
enter bays. Basking Shark are highly migratory
(in search of plankton), but apparently
stay near the ocean floor in fall and winter.
Reproduction:
Very little is known about the reproductive
process of the Basking Shark. Scientists
do know that the Basking Shark is ovoviviparous
(young develop within eggs inside the mother's
body). The gestation period (length of time
in which the young remain inside the mother)
is thought to last from between one and
three years. Basking Sharks probably breed
every two to four years and reach reproductive
maturity between the ages of 6 and 13.
