Basking Shark [Rhincodon typus]
Description
Basking sharks are gentle giants that cruise near the surface or midwater, often with their massive mouths filtering plankton. Divers may notice the shark’s broad, patterned body and the slow, steady way it moves—sometimes accompanied by a “cloud” of feeding activity as it takes in water.
Where To See Basking Shark
No sighting locations recorded yet.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Fish, Sharks & Rays (plus Sea Turtles & Whales)
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Elasmobranchs (Sharks, Rays, Skates)
Elasmobranchii
|
| Order |
Carpet Sharks
Orectolobiformes
|
| Family |
Whale Shark
Rhincodontidae
|
| Genus |
Whale Shark
Rhincodon
|