Shortfin makos are a stream-lined and a relatively slender shark with a pointed snout, crescent-shaped tail and long slender teeth. Their body coloration ranges from blue grey to deep blue on the dorsal side (top) and white on the ventral side (belly). Shortfin mako sharks are the fastest sharks in the world! They have been estimated to swim at constant speeds of about 21mph/33kph with bursts of more than 45mph/72kph! They have even been seen leaping as high as 30ft/9m in the air! What’s their secret? They are warm blooded and this keeps their body temperature warmer than the water around them. This, combined with the shortfin makos’ streamlined shape and crescent shaped tail are what make them so speedy. Mako’s are a highly sought-after game fish which has led to a decrease in their population. Worldwide, the shortfin mako is also a victim of by-catch of the tuna and swordfish fishing industries. Their population decline is why they are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
At-A-Glance
Scientific Name – Isurus oxyrinchus
Size – Up to 12ft in length depending on sex and age.
Habitat – Pelagic species found in both tropical and warm temperate waters worldwide. Primarily open waters but have been seen in coastal areas where the continental shelf is short. They are a highly migratory species.
Diet – Different types of fish like mackerel, bluefish, swordfish, tuna along with other sharks, and some cetaceans.
Reproduction – Ovoviviparous (pups are nourished in utero via yolk sac and birthed live) with a gestation period lasting around 15 to 18 months giving birth to litters ranging from 4-25 pups. Males reach sexual maturity around 7 to 9 years of age while females are closer to 18. They have a slow 3 year reproductive cycle, meaning this slow rate of reproduction leaves them more vulnerable to extinction.
IUCN Listing – Endangered.
Protection – Listed under Appendix II of CITES, on Annex I of UNCLOS, Annex I of the CMS Migratory Shark Memorandum of Understanding and Appendix II of CMS.
Bet You Didn’t Know…
- The shortfin mako can reach top speeds of 45 mph making it the fastest shark and one of the fastest fish on the planet!
- Makos are within the Lamnidae family which have the ability called counter current heat exchange meaning blood is heated by energy released from muscle contractions. The heated blood flows through veins which transfer that heat to the oxygenated blood in adjacent arteries, warming the brain, stomach, and swimming muscles. This gives the shark a higher internal temperature than its environment, allowing it to function effectively in waters too cold for most other sharks.
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Narragansett, Rhode Island: July to November
San Diego, CA: April to November
Cabo San Lucas, Baja, Mexico: December to May
Capetown, South Africa: November to May
Azores: July to October
Science In The Spotlight
The shortfin mako shark is considered one of the fastest sharks in the ocean, reaching top speeds of 45 mph/70 kph. They have special unique features which make them the cheetahs of the sea. These unique features include dermal denticles and their location on the dorsal fin, size and shape of their caudal fins and muscle structure.