Basking Shark Scientific

Animals Unique | Basking Shark Scientific | The basking shark is the second largest species of shark (and fish) in the world behind the enormous whale shark. Basking sharks are also commonly known as the sunfish, the elephant shark and the big mouth sharkThe basking shark is found inhabiting temperate coastal waters around the world, with the exception of the Indian Ocean. The basking shark is one of only three plankton-feeding shark species and is the largest fish in British waters.

 

Basking sharks are most well known for the which Their enormous mouths balloon out in order to take in as much water as possible into it, and are Able to process over 1.500 gallons at a time. As filter-feeders, the basking shark's mouth contains Hundreds of tiny teeth the which are used to filter food particles out of the water.Basking sharks are solitary animals Generally found hunting alone, although basking sharks are also commonly seen in schools of up to 100 basking shark individuals usually during seasonal Migrations. 

 

 

Basking sharks are also known to spend most of Their time closer to the surface of the water where They can be easily spotted as They Munch Their Way through the ocean.As with other large fish and shark species, the basking shark is a Carnivorous animal That meaning it only gets it's Nutrients by eating other animals. Plankton is the primary source of food for the basking shark along with other small organisms Such as fish, squid and crustaceans.As the second largest shark species in the world, the basking shark has few natural predators. Apart from hunting by Humans, the great white shark and the killer whale are the only real threat to the basking shark, Mainly due to the fact That basking sharks are slow and sluggish Generally swimmers.Basking sharks reach sexual maturity (can begin breeding) when They are about three years old. Basking sharks are known to mate during the warmer summer months, and Their pups (the largest of all shark pups) are born live after up to 3 years of development. 

 

 

Basking shark pups are known to Become Independent Immediately, swimming away from Their mother just after birth.Due to over hunting and rising levels of pollution, the world's basking shark have severely Populations Declined That meaning today, the basking shark is Considered to be an animal under threat from That Is extinction.

Basking Shark Scientific Facts Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Order: Lamniformes Family: Cetorhinidae Genus: Cetorhinus Common Name: Basking Shark Scientific Name: Cetorhinus Maximus Origin: Atlantic and Pacific Oceans Diet: Carnivore Size (L): 6m - 12m (20ft - 39ft) Water Type: Salt Optimum pH Level: 5-7 Life Span: 20-100 years Conservation Status: Threatened Colour: Grey, Black, Brown Skin Type: Smooth Favourite Food: Fish Habitat: Temperate waters along continental shelves Average Clutch Size: 6 Main Prey: Fish, Plankton, Invertebrates Predators: Sharks, Humans, Killer Whales Distinctive Features: Enormous mouth and large body size