Final answer:
Feeding whales are generally easier to locate than basking sharks due to the whales' surface-disturbing behaviors, group presence, and vocalizations, as opposed to the solitary and discreet filter-feeding of basking sharks, which lacks distinctive visual or auditory cues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Locating feeding whales is generally easier than locating basking sharks. Whales, particularly baleen whales, engage in feeding behaviors that can be observed from a distance, such as lunge feeding or bubble netting, which create disturbances on the surface of the water that are visible to observers. Additionally, whales are often found in groups and may be tracked by their vocalizations, which can travel long distances underwater. In contrast, basking sharks are solitary creatures and feed by filter-feeding on plankton as they swim with their mouths open, a behavior that is more discreet and does not create easily observable surface disturbances. Basking sharks also lack vocalizations that can aid in their detection. Moreover, their presence is more dependent on plankton concentrations, which can vary seasonally and geographically, making them less predictable. Therefore, the specific behaviors and characteristics of these marine animals affect the ease with which they can be located.