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I have seen recently some videos, where headlines have been like 25-35 feet great white shark etc. In many cases that big shark is actually a basking shark. In some cases people then again just exaggerate size of the shark, maybe not on purpose, but if a big great white shark swims close to boat, 16 feet is easily 25 feet, when people post videos on youtube :)

But because there really is a shark, which can be 25-35 feet and even a bit more and which can be mixed to great white shark, here two differences, which can be often noticed if paying attention while watching footage. 

First thing is dorsal fin, in some cases difference can be difficult to notice, but in many cases actually very easy. Dorsal fin of a basking shark is often like top of triangle, both sides diagonal. Great white shark has then again more like so, that backside of dorsal fin is straight line downwards and front side is diagonal. This picture should open up the case, when situation is clear.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Another difference is then position of dorsal fin compared to pectoral fins. Great white shark has dorsal fin closer to pectoral fins in way, that if drawing line straight down from front of dorsal fin, that line touches backside of pectoral fins. From points, where these fins are attached to body.

When looking at baskin shark, there is small, but usually clear gap, if you draw same line straight down from front of dorsal fin and then look at pectoral fins.

Here some photos to show the difference.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

One more image, in this up to bottom: Great white shark, Porbeagle shark, Shortfin Mako shark, Baskin shark and Bluea shark.

*This image is copyright of its original author

In pictures like this it looks like impossible to mix these sharks, but when basking shark swims mouth closed, it looks so different, than in many pictures and photos taken, when it has mouth wide open. Also color differences are often pretty impossible to use as reliable ways to identify, when light conditions, projections (or is reflections better term) have effect. These two characteristics then again are usually possible to see at some point. And if not giving 100% certainty always, at least much better estimation is possible than most people can do, when they give opinions based on what they want to see, not what careful observer, who knows differences, sees there.

But when seeing "sensational" headlines, it´s good to remember, that yes, there are giant sharks in the ocean as we speak, but those biggest of the big, basking sharks and whale sharks aren´t predators. Reply