How Do Basking Sharks Eat?

The basking shark exclusively feeds on microscopic animals called zooplankton, which it catches by opening its mouth and allowing water to flow over its enlarged gill slits. Zooplankton in the water are then trapped in gill rakers covered in mucus.

Can a basking shark eat a human?

In short, basking sharks don't usually eat humans. Though they're certainly large enough to consume one whole, a basking shark has other priorities when it comes to eating and searching for food.

Do basking sharks ever close their mouth?

Yes, basking sharks can close their mouths. However, most pictures of a basking shark show it with its mouth open. This is because basking sharks swim...