Currently, more than 1,000 shark species have been discovered. Basking sharks are among the fascinating species we have found. Judging from their appearance, you might think you would be shark food if you encountered one, but that may not be the case under normal circumstances.

Basking sharks have giant mouths with hundreds of teeth, but they limit their diet to planktons. There are many more amazing facts about these sharks, which you will discover when you look down below.

1. They are the second-largest fish in the world

Second to the whale shark, basking sharks are one of the largest fish worldwide. Their bodies can be anywhere between 23 to 26 feet large, with mouths nearly 4 feet wide. They can weigh as much as 8,500 pounds. A giant basking shark measures a whopping forty feet!

2. They feed on plankton

Basking sharks love zooplankton. This is their favorite meal, and they rarely stray from feeding on these creatures. The whale and megamouth sharks are the only creatures that rely heavily on plankton for their food.

A basking shark has hundreds of teeth that it uses to filter plankton and other microscopic prey. There are five gill slits on both sides of the shark’s head, which it uses to expend the water that finds its way in while it feeds. You would know it is time for this creature to eat when it opens its large mouth and filters about 1500 gallons of water per hour.

3. Basking sharks Are Not Always Basking 

It appears as though basking sharks are always basking, hence their name. Well, they are not. When you see one that looks like it is floating slowly along the surface of the water, this is just how it feeds.

They will sometimes entertain you by doing a 360° turn while basking.

4. They can leap into the air 

Basking sharks can breach the surface of the water! They can take off at a depth of more than 90 feet below the water surface and leap into the air at the height of four feet. The fascinating part is they do it in an almost vertical position.

Considering the size of the basking shark, this is an impressive feat. One of the reasons they breach the water’s surface is to remove parasites from their bodies. Sometimes, breaching can also be done during the mating season.

5. They are also social creatures 

You can spot them in groups during the summer, mostly large ones. You would find as many as 100 sharks in a single group.

6. They are endangered species 

The basking shark is an endangered species. Overfishing, getting tangled in nets, hunting, and boating accidents are all reasons these creatures are in danger of extinction.

Bottom line

Basking sharks are huge marine creatures that appear dangerous. In the sense of it, they are, but not to humans. Zooplankton and other microscopic creatures are their major targets.