Top 10 largest sharks in the world

Sharks, powerful predators of the deep sea, amaze with their size, strength and grace. Some species of sharks reach enormous sizes. From the prehistoric megalodon to the giant whale shark, each species is unique and deserves special attention.

In our article we will look at the top 10 largest sharks in the world, talk about their characteristics and habitats. We invite you on an exciting journey through the world of the ocean depths to learn more about these majestic sea predators.

The common sand shark, also known as the sand lance, is one of the most common shark species in temperate and tropical waters. It is distinguished by its elongated body with long smooth fin blades, as well as the ability to “hover” in the water, thanks to the special structure of its fins. Although the sand lance is not considered one of the largest sharks (it reaches a length of 3.2 meters), it is notable for its unique behavior and distinctive appearance.

The mako, also known as the blue shark, is one of the fastest shark species in the ocean. This species is capable of reaching speeds of up to 74 km/h, which makes it one of the most agile and fastest aquatic predators. The mako can reach 4 meters in length and has a slender body with a long conical nose and sharp teeth. Makos are so aggressive that unborn baby sharks will attack each other inside their mother's belly. Adult makos pose a danger to humans.

The sixtab shark is one of the most unique and ancient species of sharks inhabiting the deep waters of the world's oceans. It gets its name from having six pairs of gill slits, which is quite unusual for most modern sharks, which typically have five pairs of gills. This species can reach up to 5 meters in length, characterized by a massive body and a long fin on the back. And although this is one of the most impressive sharks in the depths of the ocean, it usually does not attack people, and even shy away from divers, since it really does not like to be touched. From the outside, the six-tab shark seems rather slow, but when hunting it quickly rushes towards its prey.

The common sea fox shark, or fox shark, is famous for its long, flexible body and surprisingly long tail. This species of shark can reach a length of more than 6 meters, although its tail can be the same length as its body or even longer. The sea fox is known for its unique hunting method: it uses its long tail to stun its prey. This unusual and interesting ocean predator is scary to look at, but poses no danger to humans.

One of the largest and most impressive sharks in the world, the basking hammerhead shark is notable for its hammerhead-shaped head. This feature not only gives it a unique appearance, but also improves its ability to navigate and find prey. The giant hammerhead shark can reach a length of more than 6 meters, making it one of the largest sharks on the planet. Although it attacks humans extremely rarely, it is considered dangerous. Hammerhead sharks are becoming increasingly scarce and are believed to be gradually disappearing.

The tiger shark, one of the largest and most famous sharks, is named for its unique tiger-like coloration, especially pronounced in juveniles. This species can reach lengths of up to 5 meters and is known for its strong jaws and varied diet, including everything from fish and sea turtles to floating debris. Tiger sharks are widely distributed in tropical and temperate waters and are known as one of the ocean's most aggressive and dangerous predators to humans.

The white shark, also known as the great white shark or carhadon, is one of the most famous and feared marine predators. This species of shark can reach a length of up to 6-8 meters and is known for its strength and sharp teeth. White sharks live in the coastal waters of many oceans and are often associated with attacks on people, giving them a reputation as one of the most dangerous marine predators. Have you seen the movie "Jaws"? The white shark starred there.

The Greenland shark, one of the most unique and mysterious shark species, has adapted to life in the cold waters of the Arctic and North Atlantic. These sharks, which reach a length of over 6 meters, are known for their slowness and ability to live in extremely cold conditions. Greenland sharks are also considered to be one of the longest-living vertebrates on the planet. So in 2017, scientists caught an individual that, according to some estimates, was born in 1505! That is, this is the absolute record holder for life expectancy among vertebrates.

Despite its name, the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is not the largest, it is in second place. The average length of a giant shark is 6-8 meters and weighs about 5.2 tons. And the maximum parameters that have ever been recorded are a length of 12 meters and a weight of more than 9 tons. Basking sharks are found in cool and warm temperate waters of all the world's oceans, swim at speeds of about 3.7 km/h, and obtain food by filtering.

Whale sharks, despite their gigantic size, are absolutely safe for humans. These gentle giants have a calm disposition and often allow divers and snorkelers to swim close to them. Their body is covered with patterns and spots, each of which is unique, like a person’s fingerprints. But you should not touch them because of the small and sharp scales on the skin that can injure the skin.

Unfortunately, whale sharks are now under threat due to human activities, including accidental capture in fishing nets and declines in plankton due to changes in the marine ecosystem. In many parts of the world, whale sharks are protected to ensure their conservation for future generations.

Megalodon, a huge extinct shark that roamed the world's oceans approximately 23 to 3.6 million years ago, continues to generate enormous interest among both scientists and popular culture. The existence of megalodon is usually linked to tooth impressions found around the world, which indicate its power and dominance in ancient oceans.

The picture shows what kind of mouth they had. Of course, its size can only be guessed from the remains. Estimates of the megalodon's size vary, but most studies indicate that the creature could have been up to 18 meters long, making it one of the largest and most powerful predators in marine history.

Megalodon was the superpredator of its era, and its huge teeth, which measured 18 centimeters in length, were ideal for hunting large prey, including ancient whales and other marine mammals. The megalodon's body structure, its enormous size and powerful jaws allowed it to remain at the top of the food chain and be one of the ocean's most feared predators. Despite its impressive size and power, megalodon went extinct about 3.6 million years ago. The reasons for its disappearance are still a matter of debate among scientists.