Quck answer
Basking sharks may look intimidating with their large mouths and sharp teeth, but they are actually harmless to humans. These gentle giants prefer to feed on plankton and small fish by filtering them through their gill rakers. Despite their peaceful nature, basking sharks are still hunted for their meat, oil, and fins. Conservation efforts have been put in place to protect these vulnerable creatures, including fishing bans and habitat preservation. By educating the public about the true nature of basking sharks, we can help to ensure their survival in our oceans.
Wild Animals
The basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is the second-largest living shark in the world, after the whale shark, and can grow up to 40 feet in length. Unlike most shark species, basking sharks are one of the three species that consume plankton, along with the megamouth shark and the whale shark. George Karbus Photography/Getty Images
In 1975, “Jaws” was released in theaters, and during the 40th anniversary of the blockbuster in 2015, a peculiar event happened. A lone diver and two separate groups of fishermen all claimed to have spotted a great white shark off the coast of Maine. However, when a photo was produced, experts realized that the creature had been misidentified. The shark was actually a basking shark, which is a much larger species that has different habits than its more well-known cousin.
The basking shark can weigh up to 5 tons (4.5 metric tons) and grow up to 40 feet (12 meters) in length, making it the second-largest fish in the world, outsized only by the whale shark. It gets its name from its tendency to “bask” in the sun near the surface of the water.
Despite their large size, basking sharks are not hunters of big game. They are filter-feeders that consume zooplankton and other small creatures, such as shrimp, in bulk as they swim with their mouths wide open.
Feeding on Plankton Instead of Humans
Elasmobranchs, which are a subclass of fish that includes sharks, rays, and skates, have over 1,000 species, and only 13 are known to consume prey by filter-feeding. Both whale sharks and basking sharks use this feeding method, but they use different techniques. While the whale shark actively sucks water and swimming prey into its mouth, the basking shark does not.
The mouth of a full-grown basking shark is approximately 3 feet (1 meter) wide at its widest point. When they feel hungry, these boat-sized fish open their mouths and push themselves forward. During this process, seawater passes through their gills at a rate of 1,500 tons (1,360 metric tons) per hour. Thousands of bristles on their gill slits, each measuring about 3.9 to 4.7 inches (10 to 12 centimeters) long, sift the water and capture small victims.
Every hour, a 22-foot (7-meter) basking shark burns about 663 calories while feeding. It may seem like a difficult task to obtain nutrition from small zooplankton, but large sea creatures like basking sharks, whale sharks, manta rays, and baleen whales do it every day. According to David Shiffman, a marine conservation biologist who studies sharks, “If plankton is abundant, which it often is when humans aren’t messing things up, just swimming around with your mouth open in any random direction is a lot more energy efficient than having to chase and subdue prey — and there’s a lot less risk of your prey escaping and you starving to death.”
Well-Traveled Fish
The basking shark was heavily harvested for its large liver during the Industrial Revolution, which led to its endangerment. Today, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers the basking shark to be endangered. To save this species, measures have been taken to prevent commercial fishing vessels from hunting or trans-shipping them in European Union waters since 2007.
The chances of spotting a basking shark vary depending on the season. In Scotland and New England, interested individuals can observe the fish from spring until autumn. Previously, experts believed that basking sharks hibernated at the sea bottom during the winter season. However, tagged specimens have proved that some of these fish are migratory, following the zooplankton to lower latitudes or deeper waters far offshore when winter arrives. Lilian Lieber, a post-doctoral fellow at Queen’s University Belfast, has conducted several studies on basking sharks. She reveals that these sharks are highly mobile and can cross the Atlantic. However, unlike some baleen whales, basking sharks do not follow strict migration routes. Instead, their movements are influenced by zooplankton dynamics, and their seasonal migrations are more variable. New research shows that basking sharks tend to forage with their kin, which is a crucial discovery for future conservation efforts. Basking sharks belong to the order lamniformes, which includes well-known species like the great white and unusual species like the goblin shark, the megamouth shark, and threshers. However, none of these species have the same popularity as the great white shark. People often mistake basking sharks for their smaller cousins, causing unrest. Although basking sharks feed on plankton, seals, or seaweed, they sometimes breach out of the water without a clear understanding of why. Therefore, all sharks deserve respect.
Fascinating Fact
Basking sharks possess a multitude of teeth, consisting of more than 150 rows per shark. However, these teeth are incredibly small, measuring only 0.19 to 0.23 inches or 5 to 6 millimeters in length, and their purpose remains a mystery to scientists.
FAQ
1. What is a basking shark?
A basking shark is a large, slow-moving shark that belongs to the family Cetorhinidae. It is one of the largest sharks in the world, typically reaching lengths of 20-26 feet. Despite its size and intimidating appearance, the basking shark is a gentle giant that feeds primarily on plankton.
2. Are basking sharks dangerous to humans?
No, basking sharks are not considered a threat to humans. They have very small teeth and a passive temperament. They are filter feeders, meaning they swim with their mouths open to collect plankton and other small organisms, which they filter through their gill rakers.
3. Where can basking sharks be found?
Basking sharks can be found in temperate and cold waters around the world, including off the coasts of North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. They are most commonly seen in coastal waters during the summer months when they come closer to shore to feed.
4. How long do basking sharks live?
Basking sharks have a relatively long lifespan, with some individuals living up to 50 years. However, they are slow to mature and have a low reproductive rate, which makes them vulnerable to overfishing and other threats.
5. What threats do basking sharks face?
Basking sharks are threatened by overfishing, accidental capture in fishing gear, and habitat degradation. They are also vulnerable to boat strikes and pollution. As a result, they are listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
6. How can we protect basking sharks?
We can protect basking sharks by reducing overfishing, implementing regulations to reduce accidental capture in fishing gear, and reducing pollution. Additionally, we can support organizations that work to protect marine habitats where basking sharks live.
7. What role do basking sharks play in the ecosystem?
Basking sharks play an important role in the ecosystem as filter feeders. They help to regulate populations of plankton and other small organisms, which are important food sources for other marine animals.
8. Can basking sharks be kept in captivity?
No, basking sharks have never been successfully kept in captivity for more than a few days. They are large, migratory animals that require a lot of space and a constant supply of fresh seawater. Additionally, they feed primarily on plankton, which is difficult to provide in captivity.
9. Are basking sharks endangered?
Basking sharks are considered a vulnerable species, meaning they are at risk of becoming endangered if conservation measures are not taken. Their slow reproductive rate and vulnerability to overfishing and other threats make them particularly susceptible to population declines.
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