The Biggest Shark in New York State is 40 Feet Long

Sharks have been on the minds of many New York beachgoers... but did you know that our aquatic friends are actually some of the largest on the planet?

No, we're not talking about great white sharks (although they can be found off the shores of New York too, below), but something even bigger. The good news is that no matter how large they get, they also might be the best species to meet face-to-face in the water.

Sharks in New York State

Sharks are quite common up and down the entire eastern seaboard, including New York State. While some species are legal to harvest, others, including the great white and the behemoth mentioned in the title of this article, are protected.

Sharks Staying Longer in New York State

This year also might give New Yorkers their best chance of seeing a shark, as scientists recently found that rising sea surface temperatures might delay their migration further south. But back to the giant beneath the waves...

The Massive Shark That Lives in New York State

While the largest animal on the planet is a mammal (the blue whale, to be specific), the largest fish in the world is a shark. While the whale shark takes the number one spot, the second-place giant can be found right here in the Empire State.

Basking sharks are the second-largest fish on the planet, and they live in New York (Canva)

Basking Sharks in New York

Growing up to 40 feet long, basking sharks (below) are the second-largest fish on the planet, with recent sightings of the coast of Long Island (below). While most sharks use sharp teeth to devour their prey, basking sharks take a gentler approach.

As the post above explains, basking sharks are "filter feeders" with a diet almost entirely consisting of tiny organisms called plankton. This means that while they might seem scary, they pose zero threat to humans. While any shark attack is rare, it's always good to brush up on shark safety below.