Basking Shark
| Use attributes for filter ! | |
| Mass | 5,200 kg (Adult) |
|---|---|
| Length | 6 – 8 m (Adult) |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (Population decreasing) |
| Scientific name | Cetorhinus maximus |
| Class | Chondrichthyes |
| Did you know | A characteristic feature of the juvenile basking shark is the long, hook-like snout. |
| Date of Reg. | |
| Date of Upd. | |
| ID | 857373 |
About Basking Shark
The basking shark is the second-largest living shark, after the whale shark, and one of three plankton-eating shark species, along with the whale shark and megamouth shark. Adults typically reach 6–8 m in length. They are usually greyish-brown, with mottled skin.
Sharks: Volunteers sought to document animals in Wales' seas
... I ll be very surprised if we do actually see any and I d be really excited to see a Basking Shark...
Jasmine Harrison reflects on record-breaking 2022 UK swim
... " Leaving the Isle of Man I was followed by a Basking Shark, it wasn t going to eat me but it was still very scary, " she says...
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... He believes the animal was a Basking Shark of about 3...
Lives of basking sharks caught on 'SharkCam' in Inner Hebrides
...Scientists have captured Basking Sharks in the Inner Hebrides using the UK s first autonomous SharkCam ...
Backing sought for basking shark 'safe zone' in Scotland
...Basking Sharks migrate to west Scotland from the sea off west Africa Scotland could be the location of the world s first protected area for Basking Sharks, say conservationists...
Backing sought for basking shark 'safe zone' in Scotland
Basking Sharks migrate to west Scotland from The Sea off West Africa
Scotland could be the location of The World 's first protected area for basking Sharks , say conservationists.
Large groups of the fish gather in The Sea of the Hebrides from May to October to feed on plankton.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust and Marine Conservation Society want part of The Sea to be designated a marine protected area (MPA).
The Scottish government is consulting on The Plan and the groups have urged The Public to show support.
Three other proposed MPAs - North-east Lewis, Shiant East Bank and Southern Trench -
Under The Sea of the Hebrides proposal. the MPA would cover an area between The East coast of the Western Isles and west coasts of Skye, Mull and the Ardnamurchan Peninsula.
The Sea is a habitat for whale and Dolphins as well as basking Sharks .
Basking Sharks feed on planktonDr Sam Collin, of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: "Basking Sharks are only in Scottish seas for around six months of the year but it is vital that we do all we can to protect them from harm.
"The proposed MPA is a welcome Step Forward for the conservation of this threatened species and adds to a growing network of protected areas around Scotland. "
Calum Duncan, of The Marine Conservation Society, said Scotland's wildlife and environment were of "immense value" both in their own right and to Scotland's "global reputation".
He said: "We urge as many people as possible to join our campaign to ensure basking Sharks , and other features, have better protection in Scottish waters. "
Stuart Mcmillan , SNP MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde and a "species champion" for the Basking Shark said marine protected areas offered a chance to "safeguard precious marine life for Future Generations ".
Dolphins are also found in The Sea of the HebridesBasking Sharks are the second largest fish in The World , reaching lengths up to 10m (33ft).
They have no teeth and feed on microscopic plankton with their huge, wide-open mouths.
Every summer The Sharks gather in large numbers around small islands between Skye and Mull, off Scotland's West Coast .
They are also found off the islands of Coll, Tiree and Hyskeir, before later migrating south to waters around Madeira and the Canary Islands off West Africa .
animals, isle of mull, isle of skye, sharks
Source of news: bbc.com
Basking shark Photos
