THE LOWER FISHES 



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Habits: This may be the most voracious thing that swims with the exception 

 of the killer whale, Orca. It is active, fast, and very powerful and is responsible 

 for most of the authenticated reports of attacks on man. Though principally 

 pelagic, it will enter very shallow water. It has been known to attack boats 

 without provocation or especially when hooked or harpooned. The white shark 

 feeds on large fishes, sea turtles, and e\en sea lions. One shark was found with 

 a 100-pound sea lion nearly intact in its stomach. Another specimen of 15 feet 

 was found to contain a large Newfoundland dog. Another ISVz-footer contained 

 two 6-foot sharks. 



The young are few in number and large, being over 100 pounds in weight 

 when born. 



Shnilar Species: One recently extinct Carcharadon is worth mention because 

 of its spectacular size. Only the teeth have been found, but they indicate a 

 body length of over 60 feet. A full-grown man could have stood upright in 

 this huge fish's mouth. 



BASKING SHARKS: Family Cetorhinidae 



These are the largest fishes found in temperate waters. They are much like 

 mackerel sharks in form, but the gill slits are very, long, the mouth huge, the 

 snout short, and the teeth minute and very numerous. The skin is very rough 

 and abrasive. They are ovoviviparous. There is but one species of circumpolar 

 distribution. 



BASKING SHARK (bone shark) : Cetorhimis maximiis 



Size: Commonly to 30 feet. Exceptionally to over 40 feet. 



Weight: Commonly to 8,600 pounds. 



Distribution: Temperate seas of both hemispheres. South to Cape Hatteras 

 and California. Not arctic but gets into very cold water. There is a center of 

 abundance to the southwest of Iceland. 



Identification: The color is a light gray to brown, lighter on underside. 



Habits: The common name, basking shark, is derived from the habit of 

 basking at the water's surface with the enormous dorsal fin and even part of the 

 back out of water. At such times, it is very easy to approach this shark in a boat 

 or in the water. Nevertheless, it should be remembered that this huge fish is 



