UK Seas

Discover the wonderful sea creatures that inhabit the UK seas and shores

UK seas is a guide to the fauna and flora found around UK coasts. While the majority of species are marine, some species are included that are regularly encountered on land by the coast, so you’ll find descriptions of non-marine species such as reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants as well.

Basking shark

Cetorhinus maximus

Type

Fish, Sharks

Description

A gentle giant, that basks at the sea’s surface while it feeds on plankton.

The basking shark swallows the equivalent of two Olympic-size swimming pools of seawater every hour when feeding!

Location

Usually off western coasts, often at the surface