{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "megamouth-shark",
  "name": "Megamouth Shark",
  "scientificName": "Megachasma pelagios",
  "category": "Fish",
  "summary": "The megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) is a rare deep-water filter feeder discovered only in 1976. Adults reach about 5 m, swim vertical migrations nightly, and are listed Least Concern.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Chondrichthyes",
    "order": "Lamniformes",
    "family": "Megachasmidae",
    "genus": "Megachasma"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 600,
    "lengthM": 5,
    "topSpeedKmh": 5,
    "lifespanYears": 100
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Megachasma pelagios"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Filter feeder"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Open ocean deep waters"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "100+ years"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "500–800 kg"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "up to 5 km/h"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Deep tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide.",
    "continents": [
      "Asia",
      "Oceania",
      "North America",
      "Africa"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/megamouth-shark/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/megamouth-shark/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}