James RickardThe megamouth shark only SOUNDS ferocious
November 29th 2010 01:59
When it comes to sharks, most people are familiar with great whites, bulls, tiger sharks, and maybe makos and white tips, but there's a BIG three not everyone is familiar with.
Now, when I say "Big three" I'm not talking about maneaters. I mean BIG sharks! The big three are the whale shark, basking sharks, and the ferocious sounding megamouth.
The first two species have been mentioned at one time or another in these musings so, I will focus on the megamouth.
Ironically, the megamouth wasn't even discover until 1976! Since then, less than 100 sitings have been made with only three on film.
Megamouths are very large sharks, able to grow to18n ft. or around 5.5 metres and weigh nearly a ton and a half or well over 1,200 kg. To get a better idea of the size, you can check out this video from YouTube...
Now, when I say "Big three" I'm not talking about maneaters. I mean BIG sharks! The big three are the whale shark, basking sharks, and the ferocious sounding megamouth.
The first two species have been mentioned at one time or another in these musings so, I will focus on the megamouth.
This map from Wilipedia shows the distribution of the megamouth. Despite this wide range, the beast was discoveried in the 70's.
Megamouths are very large sharks, able to grow to18n ft. or around 5.5 metres and weigh nearly a ton and a half or well over 1,200 kg. To get a better idea of the size, you can check out this video from YouTube...
The megamouth looks like a child's drawing or reminds one of a cave drawing by prehistoric man. They're usually brownish-black in color with a white underneath. The interior of its gill slits are lined with gill rakers that capture its food that's made up of plankton. shrimp larvae, or other small fish. As can be assumed, the megamouth doesoccasionally eat other fish but its teeth are far from the serrated tearing machines of other, better known sharks and they pose no threat to man.
Naturally, the scarcity of observation has lead to many questions and much confusion. Living in deep water only contributes to the problem. These traits along with a cartilaginous skeleton like other sharks make the megamouth challenge to researchers.
Naturally, the scarcity of observation has lead to many questions and much confusion. Living in deep water only contributes to the problem. These traits along with a cartilaginous skeleton like other sharks make the megamouth challenge to researchers.
Remember to take the hooks outta yer pocket before ya sit down!
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