More than 450 million years ago, the ancestors of modern sharks ruled in the seas. The biggest sharks in the world and today they continue to simultaneously delight and horrify with their size. These underwater inhabitants are extremely interesting creatures. It will be a delusion to consider them exclusively marine predators. There are species among them that feed only on plankton and krill, and some of the sharks live in freshwater.
10. Mako Shark
Mako Shark - The largest and fastest predator of the herring shark family. It is capable of developing high speed in a throw - more than 70 kilometers per hour. Mako shark jumps out of the water for 6 meters, which makes it one of the most agile and dangerous marine predators. It is considered an extremely aggressive species. The average body size is 3.2 - 3.5 meters. The largest caught individual was 4.45 meters long. Mako shark is dangerous for humans, but in most cases attacks on people have been provoked. The embryos of these sharks attack each other in the womb and find out which of them can survive. They produce tiny but sharp teeth.
9. Fox Shark
Fox shark in length reaches more than 6 meters and is one of the largest predators of its kind. Most of the length of her body is an elongated caudal fin. The method of hunting these sharks is very interesting - they use their tail as a whip and with it they first drive, and then stun the prey. A fox shark can fully jump out of the water. The large size makes it seemingly formidable, but in fact it does not pose a danger to humans, since it is rather shy.
Did you know that there is a goblin shark? The second name is the shark-brownie. It is named for its unusual appearance and moving teeth that move forward during the hunt.
7. Six-legged shark
Six-shark one of the largest marine predators of its family. 5.4 meters - maximum recorded length. The average size of this shark is 3-4 meters. It does not pose a danger to humans, but it negatively refers to touch and tries to get away from divers to the depths. Despite the apparent slowness and clumsiness, during the hunt, the six-gill shark is able to make rapid throws for an elusive victim.
In Indonesia, the shark Hemiscyllium halmahera lives, which can move along the bottom with the help of fins. It belongs to one of six species of so-called “walking” sharks.
6. Giant Hammerhead Shark
Giant hammerhead shark It got its name for its impressive body size and is one of the largest sharks in the world. The maximum length is 6, 1 meter. The average size of the hammerhead shark is 3.5 meters. It rarely attacks humans, but is a potentially dangerous marine predator.
Did you know that only two individuals of the “pocket” shark were discovered by scientists? The latest copy was found in samples collected by the expedition in 2010. The first specimen - a miniature shark of Parin (Mollisquama parini) was caught in 1979.
5. Tiger Shark
Tiger shark - one of the largest marine predators, which rightfully belongs to the largest sharks. Although the body size of individuals of this species reaches an average of 5 meters, scientists suggest that larger specimens exist. Their size can be more than 7 meters. Like the white shark, this species is most dangerous to humans. Often in the stomachs of these marine predators parts of human bodies are found. To protect people from attacks, tiger sharks are being shot in some countries.
5. Pelagic Largemouth Shark
An honorable fifth place in the ranking of the largest sharks in the world pelagic large-mouthed shark. It is at the same time one of the most poorly studied species. This deep-sea inhabitant was discovered recently - in 1976. The maximum size of the caught individual reached 5.70 meters. Scientists discovered only 60 large-mouthed sharks.
4. Great White Shark
Karharodon, or White shark, which is often called the “killer shark,” impresses not only with the tremendous power of its jaws, but also with its size. This dangerous marine predator is one of the largest sharks in the world. The average size of individuals of this species reaches 4.5 meters. In history, several cases were recorded when fishermen caught carkharodons more than 6 meters long. The white shark belongs to an endangered species, only 3,500 individuals remain in the world.
3. Greenland polar shark
Greenland polar shark Belongs to the largest sharks in the world, living in northern waters. Its size can reach 6-7 meters, and weight - one and a half tons. Because of her slowness, she, according to scientists, uses special tactics during hunting - she catches seals when they peacefully sleep in the water. The polar shark is one of the slowest fish on Earth. Its speed does not exceed 2.7 kilometers per hour, due to the low temperature of its environment.
2. Giant Shark
Giant (giant) shark - The second place among the largest sharks in the world belongs to this species. Males are slightly smaller than females, the size of the latter reaches 9.8 meters. Perhaps there are specimens up to 15 meters long. In the 19th century, individuals about 12 meters long fell into the net of fishermen. Due to mass extermination, large specimens are now extremely rare. A gigantic shark feeds on plankton, krill and small fish. It does not pose a danger to humans, although it looks menacing when it opens its mouth wide. A giant shark allows divers to approach themselves at close range. But you should not touch it because of the sharp scales that can injure the skin.
1. Whale Shark
Whale shark - the palm in size should be given to this species. It belongs to the largest sharks in the world, as well as to the largest modern fish. On average, the body length of a whale shark reaches 12-14 meters, but it is possible that there are some representatives of a larger species - 18-20 meters in length. To feed himself, this gigantic marine inhabitant has to absorb about 200 kilograms of plankton and small fish daily. The largest recorded weight of the whale shark was 36 tons.
+ Megalodon
If we consider extinct species, then the megalodon will be the undisputed winner in the ranking of the largest sharks in the world. Fossil remains suggest that it reached at least 16 meters in length and could weigh about 50 tons. This super predator ate cetaceans and large fish. It was widespread and, thanks to its size, had no enemies.