Animal Profiles
Fish

Basking Shark

Cetorhinus maximus

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The basking shark is a very large fish that gathers small plankton rather than chasing large prey. Its open mouth and almost encircling gill slits create a distinctive outline near the surface.

Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus), the representative described here.

Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus), the representative described here.

At a glance

Location
Basking sharks occur widely in temperate seas and make seasonal movements. They use coastal shelf waters as well as offshore areas, following changing feeding opportunities.
Habitat
Coast, Open ocean
Diet
Filter feeder
Food
The shark swims through concentrations of zooplankton with its mouth open.

Classification

Common name
Basking Shark
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Cetorhinus maximus
Taxon rank
species
Order
Lamniformes
Family
Cetorhinidae
Genus
Cetorhinus
Source classification
Chondrichthyes

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It filters zooplankton.
  • Its gill slits nearly encircle the head.
  • It makes seasonal movements.

Habitat and range

Basking sharks occur widely in temperate seas and make seasonal movements. They use coastal shelf waters as well as offshore areas, following changing feeding opportunities.

Appearance and adaptations

A conical snout, enormous mouth and long gill slits distinguish the species. Fine structures on the gill arches trap plankton as water passes through. The body is generally greyish or brownish above.

Diet and behaviour

The shark swims through concentrations of zooplankton with its mouth open. Food distribution influences its movements. Despite its size and slow surface feeding, it is also capable of leaping clear of the water.

Sources

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