Basking Shark Washes Ashore On A Long Island Beach
A foot long basking shark washed ashore on Gilgo Beach in Long Island.
The shark was discovered on Tuesday and New York State Park official George Gorman says the shark appeared to die of an illness. An examination is being done to determine the cause of death. Once determined it will be buried in a nearby sand dune.
According to Tracy Marcus of Cornell Cooperative Extension basking sharks are common in that area, and are not considered dangerous. They feed off of plankton. Marcus told sources that the shark weighed approximately one ton and that it was unusual for an ill basking shark to come ashore. They generally die in the ocean
ABOUT/FACTS
♦The basking shark is the second largest living shark, after the whale shark.
♦It is a cosmopolitan species — it is found in all the world’s temperate oceans.
♦It is a slow moving and generally harmless filter feeder.
♦This shark is called the basking shark because it is most often observed when feeding at the surface and appears to be basking.
♦They are a highly migratory species leading to seasonal appearances in certain areas of the range.
♦The basking shark is found from the surface down to at least 910 metres (3,000 ft).
Read more about the basking shark here
Posted by: Holly Heels
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SOURCE: Associated Press
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