MEETING THE ELUSIVE BASKING SHARK

Basking shark
Skjálfandi Bay is home to a variety of animals, both above and below the surface. Mostly of course, we become aware of the whales and dolphins, seals and all kinds of birds that we encounter on our tours.
In the meantime, the huge world beneath the surface mostly goes unnoticed - regardless of how unique and fascinating it is.

Just really rarely we get a glimpse of that world, that while at sea is so close, yet still so far:
One of these rare moments occurred yesterday when a BASKING SHARK made its appearance next to some of our boats.
With an average length of 8 metres (max. 12m), basking sharks are the second largest shark after the whale shark, usually greyish-brown in colour, a mottled skin and the inside of their mouth being white.

Little is known about these elusive sharks, but here are some facts:

1. Basking sharks undertake huge migrations, spending a lot of time in the deep sea offshore. They can be found worldwide both in tropical and temperature waters.

2. They're one of three plankton-feeding shark species (and hence no danger to us or the boats). As filter feeders, they spend a lot of time slowly swimming forward with their huge mouths widely open, filtering up to 1.800.000 litres of water every hour for their preferred prey. In fact, their mouth can be up to 1 metre wide. Oftentimes, they feed on the surface, but they might just as well leave for a feeding-dive.

3. Their brain merely weighs anything and is just 10cm small - most probably an evolution due to the lack of requirement for active and strategic hunting. Instead, the nerval mass for smell is much larger and hence likely has a greater importance when it comes to locating prey.

4. Despite their otherwise slow movements, basking sharks can fully leap out of the water.

5. Their gestation period probably lasts 3-4 years. The offsprings are live born at a size of 1.5m-2m.

6. Their liver accounts for 25-30% of their body weight.


Were you one of the lucky ones yesterday to encounter this elusive animal?

MEETING THE ELUSIVE BASKING SHARK Skjálfandi Bay is home to a variety of animals, both above and below the surface. Mostly of course, we become aware of the whales and dolphins, seals and all kinds of birds that we encounter on our tours. In the meantime, the huge world beneath the surface mostly goes unnoticed - regardless of how unique and fascinating it is. Just really rarely we get a glimpse of that world, that while at sea is so close, yet still so far: One of these rare moments occurred yesterday when a BASKING SHARK made its appearance next to some of our boats. With an average length of 8 metres (max. 12m), basking sharks are the second largest shark after the whale shark, usually greyish-brown in colour, a mottled skin and the inside of their mouth being white. Little is known about these elusive sharks, but here are some facts: 1. Basking sharks undertake huge migrations, spending a lot of time in the deep sea offshore. They can be found worldwide both in tropical and temperature waters. 2. They're one of three plankton-feeding shark species (and hence no danger to us or the boats). As filter feeders, they spend a lot of time slowly swimming forward with their huge mouths widely open, filtering up to 1.800.000 litres of water every hour for their preferred prey. In fact, their mouth can be up to 1 metre wide. Oftentimes, they feed on the surface, but they might just as well leave for a feeding-dive. 3. Their brain merely weighs anything and is just 10cm small - most probably an evolution due to the lack of requirement for active and strategic hunting. Instead, the nerval mass for smell is much larger and hence likely has a greater importance when it comes to locating prey. 4. Despite their otherwise slow movements, basking sharks can fully leap out of the water. 5. Their gestation period probably lasts 3-4 years. The offsprings are live born at a size of 1.5m-2m. 6. Their liver accounts for 25-30% of their body weight. Were you one of the lucky ones yesterday to encounter this elusive animal? 📷 Reynir Hilmarsson (captain)

Gepostet von Gentle Giants Whale Watching am Dienstag, 16. Juli 2024
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