'Unusual sight' as sharks seen swimming in 'cartwheel' formation


By 9News Staff

Jan 3, 2023

Scientists conducting an aerial survey of the ocean off the coast of New England in the US have come across some "unusual" behaviour.

The group witnessed several clusters of basking sharks swimming in what they called a "cartwheel formation", according to New England Aquariam.

Basking sharks are the second-largest living shark and fish after the whale shark.

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The aerial survey team spotted this group of four basking sharks swimming in a cartwheel formation on October 11, 2022. (New England Aquarium )

Pictures of the phenomenon were posted to social media by the aquarium.

" Usually, we see basking sharks swimming alone, so this was quite surprising," the post reads.

The post also said scientists with the aquarium had also spotted an aggregation of about 1,400 basking sharks near Martha's Vineyard, a Massachusetts island, in 2013.

"These aggregations are a known but not commonly seen basking shark behaviour," the post said.

"Their function still remains a mystery, although it is thought that food resources could draw the sharks together, and they then engage in courtship behaviour.

"One thing's certain: It's a really cool sight."

Basking sharks are the second-largest living shark, and fish, after the whale shark. .  

Adult basking sharks typically reach 7.9 metres in length. They consume plankton, which they collect by expanding their mouth and swimming at a continuous pace. (New England Aquarium )

The basking shark is a filter feeder that consumes plankton. Adults typically reach lengths of 7.9 metres.

The species is found in arctic and temperate waters.

The largest basking shark ever recorded is said to have been caught in 1851 in Canada; it measured 12.3 metres in length.