description Megamouth shark Overview
The megamouth shark, Megachasma pelagios, is a rare deepwater shark and one of three living shark species known to feed by filtering plankton from the water. It has a broad, rounded head, a very large protrusible mouth, and relatively small teeth. The species became known to science after a specimen was caught near Hawaii in 1976, making its discovery unusually recent for such a large animal. Its infrequent sightings leave aspects of its distribution, behavior, and reproduction poorly documented.
help Megamouth shark FAQ
How does the megamouth shark feed?
The megamouth shark is one of only three living shark species known to feed by filtering plankton from the water. It uses its remarkably large, protrusible mouth to capture its microscopic prey.
What does the megamouth shark look like?
This rare deepwater shark is easily identified by its broad, rounded head and massive mouth. Despite its enormous jaws, it possesses relatively small teeth compared to other large marine predators.
Are there other sharks like the megamouth shark?
The megamouth shark is one of only three living filter-feeding shark species in the world. The other two are the basking shark and the whale shark, which share a similar plankton-based diet.
Is the megamouth shark a common deepwater species?
No, the megamouth shark is an incredibly rare deepwater species that is seldom encountered by humans. Because it typically inhabits deep ocean waters, it remains one of the most elusive sharks in the marine world.
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