Classified as Vulnerable, the Basking Shark inhabits oceans habitats in Worldwide. Weighing 400–700 kg, it is exceptionally high among carnivore fish.
Physical Characteristics & Habitat
Size & Speed
| Metric | Basking Shark | Carnivore Fish Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 550 kg | 55 kg | ↑ 900% |
| Height | 1.1K cm | — | — |
| Top Speed | 21 km/h | 26.5 km/h | ↓ 21% |
| Avg Speed | 21 km/h | — | — |
Habitat & Distribution
The Basking Shark inhabits oceans habitats. It can be found in Worldwide.
Typical coloring: Gray, Brown.
Diet & Predators
Behavior & Reproduction
Social Structure
The Basking Shark is a solitary species belonging to the Cetorhinidae family.
Reproduction
Conservation & Comparison
IUCN Conservation Status
VU The Basking Shark is classified as Vulnerable. There are 34 species with the same status in our database.
Species Comparison
Among 11 carnivore fish, the Basking Shark’s weight of 400–700 kg is significantly higher than the group median of 55 kg.
Weight rank: #8 of 34 Vulnerable species.
| # | Species | Weight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sperm Whale | Up to 57000 kg | VU |
| 2 | African Elephant | 2700–6000 kg | VU |
| 3 | Great White Shark | Up to 2268 kg | VU |
| 4 | Hippopotamus | 1300–3200 kg | VU |
| 5 | Gaur | 600–1300 kg | VU |
Related Species
How much does a Basking Shark weigh?
A Basking Shark typically weighs 400–700 kg, which is exceptionally high compared to the median of 55 kg among carnivore fish.
What is the conservation status of the Basking Shark?
The Basking Shark is classified as “Vulnerable”. There are 34 species with the same status in our database.
Where does the Basking Shark live?
The Basking Shark is found in Worldwide, in oceans habitats.
How does the Basking Shark reproduce?
The Basking Shark has a gestation period of 36–42 months and typically produces 2-4 offspring per birth.
Data Sources: IUCN, WWF, National Geographic, Smithsonian Institution.
Last Updated: April 10, 2026