🤯 Did You Know (click to read)
Basking sharks are believed to reach sexual maturity at lengths of several meters.
Basking sharks grow slowly compared to many other fish species, taking years to approach their maximum size of over 10 meters. Late maturity combined with gradual growth reflects a life history built for longevity rather than rapid expansion.
💥 Impact (click to read)
In fast-growing fish, size can double within short timeframes. In contrast, a basking shark’s journey to massive proportions unfolds across extended periods, delaying reproduction and limiting how quickly populations expand.
Slow growth amplifies vulnerability to overfishing and environmental disruption. When a species requires years to produce new breeding adults, even small population declines can echo across decades.
Source
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
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