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We’ve scoured the scientific literature for the biggest numbers relating to shark vitals, to bring you what we think are the top ten biggest sharks in the oceans today. Weighing a live animal isn’t going to be a valuable pursuit for anyone on a marine biology budget.
Today we’ll be looking at the 10 largest shark species in the world and ranking them according to length. We’ll also learn some fun facts about the unique habits and behavioral patterns of each one!
Giant sharks have been lurking in the ocean for millions of years. Here are eight of the biggest sharks from the past and present.
The whale shark is the largest shark and fish in the world, reaching lengths up to 62 feet (18.9 meters) and feeding primarily on plankton. The basking shark, the second largest, grows up to 40 feet (12.2 meters) and also filter-feeds on plankton.
Growing up to 20 meters long and weighing 12,500 kilograms, the whale shark is without a doubt the largest shark in the world. Its fusiform body is broad in the mid-section and narrows in the head and tail.
The whale shark is not only the largest shark in the world at about 55.7 feet in length, but it is the biggest fish in the world. It is considered a carpet shark because of the beautiful pattern on its hide, which is dark gray with white stripes and what looks like polka dots.
Thresher Shark (Alopias vulpinus) 18.8 feet / 5.73 m The thresher shark has one of the biggest ranges of all sharks. It's found everywhere except polar waters. About half of its length is due to their enormous tail, which they use to generate great power when they swim.
Sharks come in all sizes. The largest is the whale shark, which has been known to get as large as 18 meters (60 feet). The smallest fits in your hand. And the great white shark is somewhere in the middle. See photos and learn more about the wide diversity of sharks, read 5 reasons to revere sharks, and see even more articles about sharks.
Among the world’s larger sharks is the Somniosus pacificus, which averages around 4.4 meters (14.4 feet) in length. Inhabitants of the North Pacific, these sharks have a preference for dining on bottom-dwelling creatures, including the colossal octopus.
The megalodon holds the record for the largest shark ever, making it the ultimate apex predator. The extinct animal is one of the largest fish to ever live on Earth, and it’s believed to have reached up to 20 m (65 ft) long.