Basking Shark vs. Whale Shark: Which is Bigger?

Quick Take

• These two sharks are both gentle filter feeders, though their size difference is far more dramatic than most people expect. Compare their sizes →
• Even the larger of these two record-breaking fish isn't actually the largest animal in the ocean, and the animals that outsize them might surprise you. See what outgrows them →
• The secret behind how these sharks grow so massive comes down to one counterintuitive feeding strategy shared by only three sharks alive today. Discover their feeding strategy →

Basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) and whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are similar-sized filter feeders that roam the ocean. These gentle giants are the two largest fish species on Earth, but when it comes down to it, which one is bigger? Let’s take a look and see which shark takes the win, as well as learn a bit about two of the ocean’s rarest and most beautiful fish species to answer the question: Basking Shark vs. Whale Shark: which is bigger?

Basking Shark vs. Whale Shark: Which is Bigger?

Comparing these two is no easy task, but there is a clear winner. Whale sharks are larger than basking sharks in almost every natural environment.

Basking sharks (sometimes known as bone sharks) may look intimidating, but they are harmless filter feeders that roam the oceans in search of microscopic food. Basking sharks typically grow to 23–28 feet, with some individuals reaching 30–36 feet. In addition to their length, fully grown basking sharks typically weigh between 9,000 and 14,000 lbs, depending on their length. The largest basking shark ever recorded was 39 feet long and weighed an estimated 36,000 pounds.

By putting up these sorts of numbers, the basking shark has earned itself the number two spot among the largest sharks in the world today. With the basking shark being number two, that leaves the whale shark to take the top spot! Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean, let alone sharks. While they don’t look nearly as scary as basking sharks do, they are similarly harmless as filter feeders. On average, whale sharks reach 30–33 feet in length, with rare specimens recorded up to 60 feet.

In fact, the largest whale shark on record measured 61.7 feet in length! Additionally, they typically weigh around 14–20 metric tonnes (about 30,000–44,000 lbs), significantly more than basking sharks.

What Animals are Larger than Basking Sharks and Whale Sharks?

Although whale sharks and basking sharks occupy the number one and number two spots of the world’s largest fish, there are some animals alive that outpace even these giants, namely, the world’s largest whales.

When it comes to average length and mass, five species of whale can contend with whale sharks and basking sharks. Topping the list is the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). Blue whales can reach over 100 feet long and weigh over 250,000 lbs, making them the largest animals on earth and likely the largest animals ever. Finback whales (B. physalus) typically grow between 70–80 feet, with rare individuals reaching up to 85–89 feet, also making them substantially larger than whale and basking sharks. Additionally, right whales (Eubalaena), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are all larger than the two sharks. Still, even with a few whale species being larger, these sharks remain among the largest animals in the oceans.

What is the Biggest Shark in History?

Whale sharks and basking sharks are the two largest sharks on earth today, but that wasn’t always the case. They are the largest extant fish species, meaning they are the largest living fish, but there are extinct sharks that rival even these two.

The largest shark to ever live was the Megalodon. Megalodon was likely between 54 and 80 feet long and may have weighed between 100,000 and 188,000 pounds. In short, megalodon was at least twice as large as whale sharks. Although we don’t know how often encounters occurred between the species, their ancestors likely met in the open oceans. Given the size of prey that megalodon was accustomed to eating, a whale shark could have easily been on the menu.

What do Basking Sharks and Whale Sharks Eat?

There is a reason that the largest animals in history typically live in the ocean.

One of the most important factors that allow sea creatures to grow so large is the amount of food available to them. In order to get large and stay large, food is key. Whale sharks and basking sharks are both filter feeders, two of only three sharks alive to live as such.

As these sharks swim through the water, they open their mouths and allow water to flow freely through them. As the seawater flows through, it passes into filter pads situated around their mouths. These pads are essentially sponges that let water through but trap small food particles on their surface.

A single mouthful of water can be hundreds of gallons, allowing these filter sharks to capture hundreds of pounds of food each day as needed. Since their prey, krill, plankton, and algae, is so abundant, they can grow to truly massive sizes without much concern about food availability.

Do Basking Sharks and Whale Sharks Have Predators?

The fewer predators an animal has, the longer it is likely to live. Basking sharks and whale sharks are so large that no would-be predators would be interested, let alone able, to take them down. When an animal reaches a certain size, even the largest predators in the ocean keep their distance. For these two sharks, the only vulnerable times in their lives are when they are growing. Juvenile whale and basking sharks are at the most risk of predation, especially from other sharks and predatory fish. At full size, the only real threat to these two fish is the world’s greatest apex predator: humans. Sadly, deaths are usually accidental and the result of boat strikes.

Where do Basking Sharks and Whale Sharks Live?

Whale sharks are found in tropical and warm temperate oceans worldwide, with major aggregations in the Indian Ocean, Western Pacific, and Atlantic. They prefer water temperatures between 75–86°F, but can occasionally be found in cooler waters.

Whale sharks are found in tropical and warm temperate oceans worldwide, with major aggregations in the Indian Ocean, Western Pacific, and Atlantic. They prefer water temperatures between 75–86°F, but can occasionally be found in cooler waters.

Basking sharks are found in large areas of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They prefer cool to temperate waters and avoid the extreme temperatures of the poles and the tropics. Like the whale shark, basking sharks migrate year-round in search of food and mating grounds.