Today is World Basking Shark Day!
Basking sharks are a species of shark found all over the world in warm-temperate waters. They can migrate to follow plankton populations as well as with the seasons. Basking sharks are the second-largest species of shark, only beaten by the whale shark in size. Adult basking sharks can reach up to 26 feet in length. Life spans of basking sharks are not certain, but it is believed they may live as long as 50 years naturally, with their reaching maturity around the ages of 6-13. Because of this, they have few predators. Orcas and white sharks have been observed feeding on their remains, though.
Basking sharks got their name because they feed on the surface of waters, appearing to bask in the warm waters. They feed on the surface because basking sharks are filter feeders. That means they feed by straining food out of water. Think running water through pasta in a colander. In fact, basking sharks are one of three species of sharks that are filter feeders. The other two are megamouth and whale sharks.
Basking sharks are active year-round. They are slow-moving sharks, only going about 2 knots when feeding. They also are in general rather solitary. However, in the summers, they do gather around large clusters of zooplankton, where they gather in shoals that are segregated by sex.
Basking sharks are an endangered species, mainly due to overfishing. Parts of asking sharks have been used for various things, like its liver for oil, and its hide for leather.
No comments:
Post a Comment