Reproduction

A female basking shark is reaches maturity at about eight months and the males reach maturity at about five months.  There has only ever been one sighting of a pregnant female carrying six pups which leads scientists to believe they give birth at areas with litle or no fishing pressure.  The fertilized eggs develop within the womb until the entire egg yolk is absourbed and it is fully developed.  Basking sharks do what is known as oophagy.  This is when the pups feed on the unfertilized eggs that the mother sends into the uterus.  The gestation period for basking sharks is about 14 months.