Basking sharks grow to lengths up to 30-40 feet and weights up to about 8,000 pounds. They are filter-feeders who are often seen feeding near the surface with their huge mouths agape. This image shows the huge fin of a basking shark in the Gulf of Maine.
Basking sharks got their name because they are often seen “basking” on the surface of the water. It may appear the shark is sunning itself, but in fact it is often feeding on tiny plankton and crustaceans.
