Wild Encounters : The World's Largest Fish

In this edition of WILD ENCOUNTERS, we shine a spotlight on the world’s largest filter-feeding fish. Here are some intriguing facts and behaviors about Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus) and Basking Sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) that make these gentle giants truly remarkable.

Sharks have been roaming the Earth for over 400 million years, long before the dinosaurs! These incredible animals have survived 5 mass extinctions, showing incredible resilience and adaptability. They are found in every ocean, from the tropics to the poles, and some sharks even live in freshwater lakes and rivers.
Sharks act as indicators of ocean health; their presence in an area signifies a thriving ecosystem. The loss of sharks could trigger a domino effect, leading to imbalances in marine life populations, potentially affecting fisheries and, consequently, the livelihoods of coastal communities. Protecting sharks is not only essential for the survival of these magnificent creatures but also paramount for maintaining the biodiversity and resilience of our oceans.

Majestic Size

Whale Sharks are awe-inspiring in size, reaching lengths of up to 60 feet (18 meters). Basking Sharks can grow up to an astonishing 36 feet (11 meters, making them the second largest fish in the world, after the Whale Shark. Despite their massive proportions, these magnificent creatures are filter feeders, primarily consuming plankton, small fish, and other microscopic organisms and are no threat to humans.

Distinctive Appearance

Whale Sharks are characterized by their unique checkerboard pattern of spots and stripes on a dark grey background. Each Whale Shark has a unique pattern, much like a human fingerprint. This distinct pattern allows researchers to identify individual sharks. In contrast, Basking Sharks have a uniform dusky-brown coloration. They feature a distinctively pointed snout, a crescent moon-shaped tail, and fins that can reach almost two meters in length. Researchers use dorsal fin photos to ID individual Basking Sharks by analyzing unique markings, notches, and scars present on the fins.

**Whale Shark Photo ID:** For indentification, scientists use a specific section of the spot pattern from the left side between the gills, pectoral, and dorsal fin.

**Basking Shark Photo ID:** Scientists compare unique markings on the dorsal fin of Basking Sharks for identification.

Filter Feeding Marvels

Whale Sharks and Basking Sharks have specialized gill rakers, which they use to strain minute, planktonic organisms from the water as they swim. Each day, they can filter hundreds of cubic meters of water to extract enough plankton to sustain their massive size.

Global Travelers

These incredible creatures undertake vast migrations, traveling thousands of miles across oceans. Scientists are still unraveling the mysteries of their migration patterns, making them a subject of ongoing research and fascination.

Conservation Status

Despite their large size, both Whale Sharks and Basking Sharks are vulnerable to threats like bycatch, demand for meat and fins, ship strikes, entanglement, and habitat degradation. Sadly, both species are currently listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, highlighting the need for continued research and conservation efforts to protect these gentle giants and ensure their survival for future generations.

Want to learn more about Basking Sharks?

Listen to the Shark-Cast podcast by Shane Wasik of Basking Shark Scotland where he dives into all things Basking Shark and discusses their most fascinating behaviors.

BASKING SHARKS, THE HIGHLANDS, HEBRIDES & THE TATTOO

Join us for an remarkable odyssey through the untamed and rugged expanse of Scotland. Glide alongside the ancient-looking Basking shark as you immerse yourself in the wonders of the Highlands' rolling terrain and crystalline lochs. Traverse the Hebrides archipelago, a constellation of islands along Scotland's northwest coast.

Explore our scotland expedition

Thomas BaechtoldJanuary 19, 2024