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Basking Shark — printable fact sheet
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Basking Shark
Cetorhinus maximus
The basking shark is the second largest fish in the world, surpassed only by the whale shark. Distinguished by its enormous mouth and gill slits that almost encircle its head, this gentle giant feeds primarily on plankton by filter-feeding near the ocean's surface. Basking shark…
Did you know?
- Despite their massive size, basking sharks feed on some of the ocean's smallest organisms—tiny plankton.
- Basking sharks can filter up to 2,000 tons of water per hour through their gills while feeding. They are known for their seasonal migrations, sometimes traveling thousands of kilometers in search of food. Unlike many other sharks, they do not have sharp teeth but a large gaping mouth adapted for filter feeding.
What I learned
Draw the basking shark
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