Top 7 Largest Sharks In The World

There are more than 360 species of sharks in the waters with most of them being these fearsome creatures in the waters. They can vary in size and has an overwhelming bite force to crush their prey.

They are known to be carnivorous in nature with some of the biggest sharks to be recorded measuring up to 18 meters in length. There are some species on this list that are currently endangered due to climate change and overfishing.

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Here we would like to share with you the top 7 largest sharks in the world based on their overall length.

7. Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (20 Feet Long)

The typical length of this sixgill shark is known to grow up to 20 feet long and can be found everywhere around the world, especially in tropical and temperate waters. It is one of the largest sharks in the world with other names like cow shark due to the additional pair of gill slits.

This shark tends to be harmless at first unless it is agitated. In terms of the numbers, the population of this shark is quickly depleting as we speak.

6. Great Hammerhead (20 Feet Long)

The next shark on our list will be the Great Hammerhead shark which is on the brink of extinction. It is typically found close to the coastal waters of tropical and subtropical climates across the globe.

It is unique in that it has a hammer that is practically straight across and a tall curved dorsal fin which sets them apart from other regular hammerheads. The stingrays will be among his favorite prey despite their lethal sting.

The Great Hammerhead can grow up to 20 feet long and can have as many as 55 offspring at a time.

5. Great White Shark (20 Feet Long)

This is perhaps one of the most popular sharks out there and despite not being the biggest ones out there, it still grows up to a considerable size of 20 feet long. Its main diet consists of various marine life and even other small sharks.

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Similar to the Great Hammerhead, its numbers are alarmingly low with it being under protection in many countries. The Great White Shark can be found in all waters worldwide as they prefer to migrate to other places all the time.

4. Greenland Shark (23 Feet Long)

Unlike other sharks on this list, the Greenland Shark is known for having the longest lifespans on Earth. It can potentially live up to 500 years as well as grow to an impressive 23 feet long.

Uniquely enough, this creature does not start to reproduce until it reaches at least 100 years old, and with such a long time to reproduce, the animal is said to be highly endangered. The Greenland Shark mostly consumes squid and other small fish in the sea.

On top of that, this shark is not safe for consumption due to the high level of triethylamine N-oxide found in its body.

3. Tiger Shark (24 Feet Long)

The shark with stripes mimicking a tiger can grow to a length of 24 feet long and as aggressive as it sounds, it is nothing compared to the great white shark. The tiger shark is renowned for devouring anything that fits in its mouth.

These can be anything from squids, seals, turtles, dolphins, and other small fish. It prefers to roam close to the equator and near the coastal region of warmer climates.

 

2.  Basking Shark (40 Feet Long)

The second largest shark in the world will be the basking shark growing to approximately 40 feet long. It can be found widely across the planet, especially in temperate water. The Basking shark got its name due to the fact that it constantly grazes on the water's surface and enjoys the bright sunshine.

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Its primary diet mostly consists of tiny plankton as it opens its mouth wide to suck them all in. This species is currently under protection due to its status of being endangered.

1. Whale Shark (45 Feet Long)

The biggest shark in the world is the whale shark which typically grows to more than 40 feet long. It is also one of the biggest fish in the ocean and it may seem that their mouth looks huge but it is actually quite smaller compared to the basking shark.

Its food mainly consists of plankton, squid, krill, and other small fish. The whale shark has dermal denticles on its body which are meant for its protection. Similar to other sharks on this list, the whale shark is also endangered with their numbers kept on dropping.

Source:

• Alam Sejarah

• Hmetro

Also read: Do Sharks Like The Human Blood?