Basking Shark

Cetorhinus maximus

Phylum

Chordata

 Basking Shark

Class

Chondrichthyes

Order

Lamniformes

Family

Cetorhinidae

 

Common names :

Basking shark, Elephant shark, Bone shark.
Diet : Plankton.
Reproduction :

Thought to be ovoviviparous : Females reach maturity at 4-5 metres, other then this, very little is known. It's gestation period is thought to last up to 3½ years.
Size : Maximum 12 metres  Average female 9 metres Average male 7 metres.

  

Distribution of Basking Shark

Distribution : North Atlantic, South Atlantic, Southern Australia and North East And North West Pacific. Highly migratory, only appearing in some areas at certain times of the year. Can be found both inshore and offshore.      

 

Danger to man :

Harmless, although it's size and power means divers should use caution when approaching.
Economic Importance : The Basking shark was often hunted in certain areas due to the vast size of it's liver, which can yield over 1000 litres of oil. It is still fished commercially, putting it in danger of disappearing from some regions.
Other Comments : This shark is the second largest, after the Whale shark and can weigh in excess of 4 tonnes. As a filter feeder, the Basking shark can filter up to 2000 tonnes of water every hour.