5. Information on similar species

The basking shark is the only species of the family Cetorhinidae. It has a very distinctive appearance, and unlikely to be confused with any other species (except possibly for large specimens of the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) if it is not clearly seen in areas where their range overlaps - e.g. in southern Australia). The fins of the adults are extremely large and, for this reason alone, are very unlikely to be confused with those of any other species when detached from the body. The whale shark also has very large fins, but the skin of the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is spotted and the fins are rounded at the tips, while the basking shark has pointed fin tips.

The order Lamniformes contains a total of 16 species in seven families, including the sand tiger sharks (Carcharias and Odontaspis spp.), thresher sharks (Alopias spp.) and mackerel sharks (Carcharodon carcharias, mako sharks Isurus spp., and Lamna spp.). The basking shark, whale shark and very rarely recorded deepwater megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) are the only known planktivorous sharks, but are not closely related.