20-foot-long washes up on New York beach
mongabay.comJuly 15, 2009
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The shark died shortly after authorities arrived on the scene. The cause of death is unknown, although the possibility of a boat strike has been ruled out.
Basking sharks can reach a length of 35 feet and weigh up to 7 tons, making them the second-largest fish after the whale shark. In summer and autumn months the species is commonly sighted in surface waters off the eastern seaboard of the United States. Basking sharks migrate south for the winter, feeding on plankton and small fish off the coast of South America. The species poses no threat to humans.
 A 20-foot-long basking shark washed ashore on a Long Island beach on July 14, 2009. Photo courtesy of CBS. |
'Harmless' 20-Foot Shark Washes Up On NYC Beach.
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