What Is The Biggest Shark On The Planet?

It might be little surprise that sharks have got a pretty bad rap for these unemotional life-ending machines that stalk the waters, taking down anything that stands in their way. Of course, we need to show these great beasts the respect they rightfully deserve, but we don't have to be entirely worried about the underwater creatures.

Sharks are designed to end lives, with abilities to detect movement in the water from 330 feet, sense a drop of blood from a mile away, and speed through the ocean at 25 mph, making them the perfect predator. However, they're only there to survive, not wipe out the human race. Although there are 536 known shark species, plenty have the same question: what is the biggest shark on the planet?

Greenland sharks have the longest lifespan of any vertebrate

Living a staggering 500 years at least means that Greenland sharks have the longest lifespan of any vertebrate. They are incredibly slow-moving and don't actually mate until they're 150 years old. To make these sharks even stranger, they are pregnant for anywhere between eight and 18 years, welcoming ten pups at a time. Greenland sharks thrive on sneak attacks, often eating their prey while they sleep, with the largest so far measuring 21 feet long.

The megamouth shark is one of the more unusual-looking sharks

They might be called megamouth sharks, but the size of their mouths doesn't equate to them being the biggest shark on the planet. Instead, these sharks have been measured at 23 feet long, with most coming in somewhere between 13 and 18 feet. However, they weigh an incredible amount, with the heaviest megamouth tipping the scales at 2,679 pounds. Amazingly, the top speed of a megamouth shark is just 1.3 mph, and they have 50 rows of teeth surrounded by glowing pores as they cruise the waters looking for food.

The great white shark is far from the biggest shark on the planet

They might be the most famous, but great white sharks are far from the biggest. In fact, the great whites typically measure 23 feet long, with their razor-sharp teeth making them so famous. Great whites also love to ambush their prey, reaching speeds of up to 43 mph, with the species regularly making it to 70 years old.

Tiger sharks have some of the sharpest teeth of them all

Just stealing third place from the great white shark is none other than the tiger shark. The largest tiger shark measured an impressive 24 feet long, but most tend to be just 10 to 14 feet. However, they weigh up to 1,500 pounds and can easily swim 20 mph. This, teamed with their incredibly sharp teeth, make them perfect for hunting and eating turtles. The fact they thrive in warm, shallow water also means humans and tiger sharks have had plenty of run-ins over the years.

The basking shark is no threat to humans

The basking shark is one of the most unusual-looking sharks in the world, as they feed through a built-in filter in their mouths. While they might look threatening, they actually pose no danger to humans. Instead, these 40-foot beasts tend to cruise around the world, often found in the Sea of Japan, the Pacific Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and even the Atlantic Ocean. They might be mighty, but the basking shark is still only the second biggest shark.

The whale shark is the biggest shark on the planet

Coming in as the number one biggest shark on the planet is none other than the whale shark. They might look like whales, but they are still fish, meaning they take home the title for the biggest fish in the world, too. The largest whale shark has been measured at a staggering 62 feet long, but they don't pose a threat to humans. Instead, their diet is made from plankton that is filtered through their built-in filtration system. Every year, whale sharks travel thousands of miles, but a lot of work is being done to keep them safe, as they are currently listed as an endangered species.

When it comes to the biggest shark on the planet, there is one very clear winner. However, that doesn't mean the other species are any less impressive. After all, seeing several feet of shark gliding through the water is a sight that's unlike any other in the world.