Slow Swimming Speeds Mask The Enormous Distance Basking Sharks Travel

A shark that cruises lazily can cross oceans in months.

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Satellite tracking has confirmed transatlantic movements in individual basking sharks.

Basking sharks typically swim at modest speeds of around 3 to 4 kilometers per hour while feeding. Over extended migrations, however, this steady pace allows them to traverse thousands of kilometers.

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At first glance, a slow-moving shark appears limited in range. Yet maintaining that pace continuously over weeks enables journeys comparable to intercontinental flights in total distance covered.

This endurance strategy reflects an energy-efficient design built for persistence rather than bursts of speed. In the vastness of the ocean, steady movement can rival the geographic impact of far faster animals.

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

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