Basking Shark Life

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Copyright Claire Embling

Basking shark

This giant which has been known to grow up to 14m long is a basking shark. This animal is the second largest shark, and feeds by filtering plankton out of the water. Greyish brown to black on the top area and off white on the underside.

They are slow swimmers when feeding and the shark swims with it's mouth open, allowing the water to flow through it's mouth. Once the shark closes it's mouth it uses it's gill rakers to filter the microscopic food from the water. The animal is typically found travelling alone but occasionally in large groups.