Basking shark fact file

Thanks to our ‘Tails’ of UK Wildlife campaign, we’re lucky enough to be working in partnership with amazing UK-registered charities making an incredible difference to wildlife – including Shark Trust.

Are you ready to find out all about the basking shark? Read on, to explore a fact file focusing on this gentle giant of the sea…

What are they? 

Fish.

Scientific name: Cetorhinus maximus

Family: Sharks

Where are they from? 

Basking sharks are a coastal species living around the world, both in warm-temperate waters and deeper, cooler waters in the tropics.

This species migrates over long distances, from the UK coast between May and October, to as far as North Africa during the winter. 

What's their average life span?

It’s believed that basking sharks can live for an average of 20-50 years, though it may be possible for them to reach around 100 years of age!

How big are they?

Body length: 12m-15m

Weight: 4.5-6 tonnes

What do they eat?

Although they have enormous mouths, basking sharks only feed on plankton – a collection of tiny organisms including microscopic plants and animals.  

Did you know? Basking sharks are able to filter approximately 1,814 tonnes of water every hour while feeding!

Are they nocturnal?

No, basking sharks aren’t nocturnal. 

However, since basking sharks can’t stop swimming – they need to keep water flowing through their gills, to absorb oxygen – it’s thought they make time to rest when they’re less active. 

Do they mate for life?

Unknown! This reproductive phase of a basking shark’s life isn’t as widely studied as other areas, e.g. diet, which means there’s more research to be done.

Something that is understood about basking sharks is that males mature at around 12-16 years, while females mature at around 20 years. Basking shark pregnancy is thought to last for approximately 14-36 months.

Owing to being ovoviviparous, basking shark eggs hatch before they’re born – which means female basking sharks can give birth to up to six babies. 

How many are there?

An estimated 20,000 basking sharks visit UK waters every year.

Sadly, there’s been an 80% decline in basking shark populations over the last century.

Three fun facts about basking sharks

Fact 1 – The basking shark is the biggest fish found in the British Isles, and the second-largest shark species in the world!

Fact 2 – Baby basking sharks are known as ‘pups’ (how cute?!).

Fact 3 – Despite normally being seen close to the water’s surface, basking sharks have been recorded as swimming to depths of 1,246m.

Actions you can take to help the basking shark

By supporting charities like Shark Trust as an Animal Friends policyholder, you’re making a hugely positive difference to species such as the basking shark. Here’s some inspiration for ways to get involved in Shark Trust’s activities:

• Download the Shark Trust App.
• Adopt a Basking Shark through Shark Trust.
• Participate in the Basking Shark Project.

Learn more about Shark Trust

In their quest to safeguard the future of sharks through positive change, Shark Trust values commitment, science, integrity, collaboration, and innovation. 

Just a snapshot of the conservation goals held by Shark Trust include:

• Species protection – protecting endangered species through legislation and effective conservation action.
• Fisheries management – transforming fisheries to prevent population decline through overfishing.
• Responsible trade – promoting responsible trade and reducing the demand for non-sustainable shark products.

Listen to our podcast episode talking all ‘fins’ shark with Shark Trust.

If you’re feeling inspired to nurture nature, check out our articles about supporting biodiversity around waterways, taking part in beach cleans, and top tips for conserving water.