Basking sharks are some of the most majestic creatures in the ocean. Weighing up to 8,000 pounds and growing up to 33 feet in length, these gentle giants swim gracefully through our oceans. Despite their intimidating appearance, basking sharks are actully harmless to humans.
Despite its relatively harmless nature, contact with a basking shark’s skin should be avoided wenever possible as its dermal denticles have caused damage to divers and fishers before. These denticles are small spikes on the surface of the skin that can cause cuts or abrasions if touched.
Basking sharks are filter feeders that prey on krill, plankton, and small fish such as herring, mackerel and hake. It is an important part of the food chain in many areas of our oceans and has long been a commercially important species due to its large size and abundance.
The best way to observe a basking shark is from a safe distance either by boat or by swimming with them on an organized tour such as Basking Shark Scotland’s excursions which last one, two or three days long. On these tours you will also have the chance to witness them feed at night when they come up from deeper waters closer to shore.
In conclusion, although basking sharks may look intimidating due to their large size and gaping mouths, they are actually quite harmless creatures who can be admired safely from a distance. Whether you take a tour with Basking Shark Scotland or just watch them from land or sea – observing these gentle giants is something you won’t want to miss!
The Dangers of Touching a Basking Shark
A basking shark’s skin is covered in dermal denticles, which are small tooth-like structures that give the shark’s skin a sandpaper-like texture. While the shark doesn’t pose much of a threat to humans, contact with its skin can cause discomfort and irritation due to these denticles. In some cases, divers and fishers have even experienced lacerations from coming into contact with the shark’s skin. Therefore, it is best to avoid touching a basking shark whenever possible.
Swimming with a Basking Shark
Yes, you can swim with a basking shark! Basking Shark Scotland offers one, two or three-day long excursions that include swimming with tese majestic creatures. Swimming with basking sharks is an incredible experience and a great way to get up close and personal with nature. The Coll of the Sharks Festival is a five-day event that also provides opportunities for swimming with basking sharks. Whether you choose to go on an excursion or take part in the festival, you’ll be able to witness these gentle giants of the sea in all their glory.
Are Basking Sharks Dangerous?
No, basking sharks are not aggressive and pose no threat to humans. In fact, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists them as a species of least concern, meaning that they are not in any immediate danger of extinction. Despite their large size and intimidating appearance, basking sharks are docile filter feeders who feed on plankton and other small organisms. They will sometimes swim close to boats or people in the water, but this is usually out of curiosity rather than aggression. Therefore, it is generally safe to observe thee majestic creatures from a respectful distance.
The Fear of Basking Sharks
No, basking sharks are not scary. In reality, they are docile, gentle creatures that inhabit the oceans. They measure up to 33 feet in length and have huge mouths that appear intimidating. However, despite their intimidating appearance, basking sharks are incredibly harmless and filter feeders wich means they only feed on plankton and other small organisms. They pose no danger to humans or other large sea animals.
Can Shark Skin Cut You?
Yes, shark skin can cut you. Sharks have been known to use a behavior called “bumping” to inflict wounds on people, in which the shark makes a close pass by the victim. This action may result in lacerations and abrasions due to the shark’s rough skin. The sharp scales on a shark’s skin are known as “dermal denticles” and can easily cut into human flesh if it comes in contact with them. Even though dermal denticles are smooth when viewed under a microscope, their jagged shape can cause cuts even with light contact.
Has the Basking Shark Ever Attacked Humans?
No, basking sharks have never attacked humans. Despite their imposing size, these gentle giants of the sea pose no threat to humans. Divers have even gotten close enough to the massive creatures to be within a few inches of them, and no reported attacks have ever occurred. Basking sharks feed mainly on plankton and small fish, so it is unikely that they would view humans as a food source.
What To Do If Swimming Into A Shark’s Mouth
If you swim into a shark’s mouth, your first instinct should be to try to get out as quickly as possible. Move your arms and legs vigorously and try to make youself as big as possible. This will scare the shark away and make it more likely that it will release you. If the shark has a firm grip on you, then use whatever you have available to poke or prod the shark in its eyes or gills. If this does not work, then try to hit the shark on its nose with your fists or other objects. Be sure to aim accurately so that you don’t accidentally hit the shark in its eye or gills. If all else fails, play dead and wait for help to arrive.
Do Basking Sharks Ever Close Their Mouths?
Yes, basking sharks do close their mouths. This happens when they have caught eough prey on their gill rakers and are ready to swallow. The process of closing their mouths is quite an impressive one; the shark’s mouth slowly closes, starting from the corners and gradually moving outward. This allows them to properly consume their food before opening again to look for more prey.
The Most Aggressive Shark Type
The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is widely regarded as the most aggressive and dangerous shark species. They are found in coastal waters around the world and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, salinities and habitats, making them one of the most adaptable sharks. This makes them especially dangerous to humans, as they are more likey to come into contact with us. Bull sharks are also known for their “bump and bite” attack strategy, where they will swim up to an object or person and bump it before biting. They also have a reputation for being particularly aggressive during feeding frenzies, which can increase the chances of a human encounter.
The Dangers of Being Swallowed by a Basking Shark
If a basking shark attempted to swallow you, it would not be successful. Basking sharks feed primarily on plankton and othr small organisms, so their throats are not wide enough to accommodate something as large as a person. The shark would likely end up coughing you out and giving you a good whack with its tail in the process. Fortunately, basking sharks are generally harmless to humans even if they were capable of swallowing them.
The Largest Shark Species
The largest shark in the world is the Whale Shark, Rhincodon typus. It can grow to an impressive length of up to 12 metres and weigh as much as 21 tons! It is found in tropical and warm temperate waters around the world and feeds mainly on plankton, small fish, and squid. Despite its size, it poses no threat to humans due to its filter-feeding diet. However, it is still classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to overfishing and habitat loss. The scond largest species of shark is the Basking Shark, Cetorhinus maximus, which can reach lengths of 12.3 metres. Like the Whale Shark, it poses no risk to humans and feeds mostly on plankton. Both species are popular with tourists who enjoy scuba diving with them or just watching from a boat.
The Risk of Injury to Humans from Whale Sharks
No, a whale shark has never hurt a human. Whale sharks are usually docile and curious creatures that show little to no interest in humans. In fact, humans pose more of a danger to whale sharks than they do to us. The majority of interactions betwen people and whale sharks have been non-aggressive, with the animals moving away if approached too closely or spooked by loud noises. There are some reported incidents of minor injuries caused by whale sharks bumping into divers or boats, but these were accidental and not out of malicious intent.
Comparing the Size of Basking Sharks and Great White Sharks
Yes, basking sharks are much larger than great white sharks. The average length of a basking shark is 6–10 metres (20–33 ft), while the average length of a great white shark is 3–4 metres (9.8–13 ft). Basking sharks also have a much wider mouth than great whites, measuring up to 1 metre in width compared to the great white’s 0.3 metre wide mouth. Basking sharks are also known to weigh as much as four tonnes, whereas the average weight of an adult great white is around 1 tonne.
Comparing the Size of Basking Sharks and Whale Sharks
The whale shark is the larger of the two species. The largest reliably measured whale shark was 18.8 metres or nearly 62 feet in length, whie the largest basking shark was 12.27 metres long, or just over 40 feet. This is a significant size difference, with the whale shark being more than twice as long as its smaller cousin.
Conclusion
Basking sharks may appear intimidating due to their immense size and wide-open mouths, but they are, in fact, harmless to humans. They have been harvested commercially for centuries as a source of food, shark fin, animal feed, and shark liver oil. Though contact with their skin should be avoided due to their dermal denticles that can cause damage to divers and fishers, basking sharks are generally peaceful creatures and pose no threat to humans. As such, swimming with them on guided tours is a safe and enjoyable experience for those looking for an up-close encounter with these gentle giants of the sea.
