Megamouth Shark

Overview

A filter feeder discovered only in 1976. Swims slowly with a large gaping mouth to engulf zooplankton and jellyfish. Fewer than 300 specimens have ever been recorded. One of the rarest sharks on Earth.

Habitat

Oceanic, coastal and offshore, 16.4 to 131.2 ft [5 to 40 m] on continental shelf, 26.2 to 544.6 ft [8 to 166 m] offshore over very deep water.

Distribution

Probably world-wide in the tropics (not many records).

Behavior

Probably migrates vertically with plankton, close to the surface at night, and deeper by day.