Which shark species is the second largest?

The second-largest shark species is the basking shark, Cetorhinus maximus. Only the whale shark grows larger. Basking sharks commonly reach about 7.9 metres, while exceptionally large individuals can exceed 10 metres.

Despite its intimidating size, the basking shark is a gentle filter feeder rather than an active predator. It swims with its huge mouth open, filtering plankton from seawater through specialized gill rakers. Its gill slits extend around much of the head, giving it a distinctive appearance.

The name “basking shark” comes from its habit of feeding near the surface, where it can look as if it is resting in warm sunlight. It is a migratory species found in temperate and boreal waters around the world, following seasonal concentrations of plankton.

People often confuse basking sharks with great white sharks because both have large, streamlined bodies. Their feeding styles are completely different: great whites hunt prey with large dagger-like teeth, while basking sharks have tiny hooked teeth and rely on filtration. Historical reports of basking sharks longer than 12 metres exist, but modern research considers such estimates unreliable.