Giant Shark Washed Up on Long Island Beach

* Image Courtesy of National Geographic

This 20-ft, 1 ton Basking Shark was found washed up on a Long Island Beach. The cause of death is not yet known but suspected to be illness. Basking Sharks, the second largest fish next to the Whale Shark, are common in the waters off of New York but not thought to be a threat to humans as they feed mostly on plankton. They are considered to be "vulnerable to extinction" by The International Union for Conservation of Nature. Scientists will be examinig the body to determine cause of death and possibly gain other useful information about this mysterious mamoth before burrying it in the nearby sand dunes.