Basking sharks are one of the largest sharks in the ocean. They can grow to about 40 feet in length and weigh 5 tons. Fun fact basking sharks are the third largest shark in the ocean.
They live in the world's arctic and temperate waters and they were hunted for their oil, meat, fins, and vitamin rich livers.
Female basking sharks reach maturity between 12-16 years old.
Basking sharks are filter feeders which means they filter water through their gills and eat small creatures like zooplankton, basking sharks filter 2,000 tons of water per hour.
