Megamouth Shark

The megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) is a species of deepwater shark. It is the smallest of the three extant filter-feeding sharks, the others being the considerably bigger whale shark and basking shark. Humans hardly ever get to see it. Fewer than 100 specimens have been seen or caught since its discovery in 1976.

It filters water for plankton and jellyfish while swimming with its mouth open, just like the other two planktivorous sharks. It can be identified by its broad head and rubbery lips. The megamouth is so unlike any other type of shark that it is usually considered to be the sole extant species in the family Megachasmidae, though some scientists have suggested it may belong in the family Cetorhinidae, of which the basking shark is currently the sole extant member.