Basking shark
Cetorhinus maximus
ok. 6,7 mAdult individual
total length
total length
wzdłuż osi ciała · od pyska do końca ogonaMeasurement: side
- Mass
- ponad 5 ton u dużych osobnikówDorosłe osobniki
Basking shark — size comparison
The basking shark is the second-largest living fish after the whale shark. It inhabits temperate seas and has enormous gill slits extending almost around the he
Silhouette comparison
Length
wzdłuż osi ciała · od pyska do końca ogonaScale for the stated dimensions · each animal is labelled
Total lengthScale in m
02468
approx. 6.7 m
The scale compares the named dimensions. View direction and measurement points are given for each animal.
Basking shark — size comparison — facts and sources
The basking shark is the second-largest living fish after the whale shark. It inhabits temperate seas and has enormous gill slits extending almost around the head. It is often seen near the surface swimming slowly with its mouth wide open.
It filters zooplankton from passing water. Food distribution changes seasonally, prompting travel between rich areas. Feeding gatherings may form, but it also spends time deeper and undertakes long migrations. The enormous mouth collects very small organisms.