Basking shark
Cetorhinus maximus
The Basking shark is the second-largest shark in the world—only the basking shark is larger. It typically grows to a length of about 7–10 meters, though in rare cases it can be even larger. Although it appears massive and its enormous mouth may look frightening, it poses no danger to humans.
It feeds exclusively on small organisms, mainly plankton, which it filters from the water using its gill rakers. It can often be seen swimming slowly just below the surface with its mouth open. It is found in the cooler and temperate waters of all oceans, such as off the coasts of Europe, North America, and Australia.
EndangeredIt feeds exclusively on small organisms, mainly plankton, which it filters from the water using its gill rakers. It can often be seen swimming slowly just below the surface with its mouth open. It is found in the cooler and temperate waters of all oceans, such as off the coasts of Europe, North America, and Australia.
Max. délka: 10.0 m
Hmotnost: 7000 kg
Habitat: Cold and temperate waters of the world's oceans, particularly coastal areas and the open ocean with high plankton abundance; found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Oceans.
Zajímavosti
🦈 It is one of the largest animals on the planet.🌊 Although it has a huge mouth, its diet consists almost entirely of plankton.
👀 Its English name, “basking shark,” comes from the fact that it often “basks” near the surface.
🥚 Females have a very long gestation period and give birth to only a few pups.
🌍 It can migrate vast distances between different ocean regions.
💙 It is considered one of the most docile sharks, and divers can safely observe it in the wild.
