Sharks as long as small yachts are starting to frequent the coastal waters of Southern California. Surely some of you beach lovers find this bit of news unsettling, but there is no need to fear. The humongous sharks we’re talking about are called basking sharks, and they are known to be peaceful sea animals that feed on tiny food such as plankton—hence why they’re often called “gentle giants.”
Basking sharks all but vanished from the waters of California decades ago, but now there’s been a spate of sightings off Ventura and in Santa Monica Bay, where they were a common species years ago. Although it’s unclear whether the recent springtime sightings are a sign of a comeback for the basking shark, it has been a delight for marine biologists as these massive sharks have been missing for a long, long time.
