Megamouth shark

The megamouth shark, Megachasma pelagios, is a rarely seen deepwater shark that grows to about 4 to 5.5 metres long. It is the smallest of the three living filter-feeding sharks, alongside the much larger whale shark and basking shark. Since its discovery in 1976 only a few hundred specimens have been observed or caught, 296 according to one count. Like the other two plankton eaters it swims with its mouth wide open, filtering water for plankton and jellyfish, and its diet is mainly zooplankton such as krill, jellyfish, shrimp larvae, squat lobsters and crab larvae. It is recognised by its large head and rubbery lips. The megamouth is so unlike other sharks that it is usually placed as the sole living species of the family Megachasmidae, although some scientists have suggested it belongs in the family Cetorhinidae.