Basking shark is about 3.8× longer by these reference values.
Basking shark uses a 12 m upper reference, compared with 3.2 m for Sand tiger shark. Basking shark's weight reference is about 38× heavier.
ON THE SAME SCALE
Human. Bus. Whale.
Pick your reference.
Length bars use upper comparison values and do not show body depth, tail proportion or typical adult size. A long thresher tail, for example, does not equal whale-shark body mass.
THE NUMBERS
Side by side.
WHAT THE DATA CAN SAY
Size is not the whole animal.
Length and weight
Basking shark is represented by reported to 12 m / 40 ft; Sand tiger shark by reported to about 3.2 m / 10.5 ft. The upper length is exceptional; the mass is a rounded comparison estimate. Upper records vary by region and source.
Bite evidence
Basking shark: A comparable maximum-bite study is not available for this filter feeder. Sand tiger shark: A reliable comparable maximum was not found.
Living versus extinct
Both species are living, but record-sized individuals are rare. These upper references should not be read as normal adult size.
Ecology changes the matchup
Its enormous mouth strains plankton; it is not built for a giant predatory bite. Its protruding teeth look dramatic, but appearance alone does not reveal bite force.
TRACE THE CLAIMS