Often seen swimming slowly at the surface, it is only one of three sharks that feed primarily on plankton.
Reaching lengths up to 35 feet and a mouth that can be over 3 feet wide when fully extended, the Basking Shark is the second largest shark in the world.
Typically observed as a solitary animal, some schools of up to 100 sharks have been seen during migratory seasons, when they typically move to deeper waters in search of heavier concentrations of food.
Though these peaceful creatures are considered harmless to humans, they can pose a danger to divers and researchers who come into direct contact with their rough and abrasive skin.
The odd shape and enormous size of the Basking Shark have caused many dead carcasses discovered in the past to be mistakenly identified as some unknown species, including mythical sea monsters.
Art By Breah 