Discovery Channel

Mako shark

Mako shark

Mako shark (NHPA)
Mako Shark

Isurus oxyrinchus

Order: Lamniformes

The short fin mako shark is best known for its amazing speed, which can reach 32 kilometres per hour. Highly prized by game fishermen, mako sharks are famous for their jumping ability and have even been known to jump into fishing boats and injure fishermen when hooked.

Because they swim so fast, mako sharks are able to chase down fish that are much too quick for other predators, such as tuna and swordfish species, as well as other sharks. Their taste for billfish has been known to land them in trouble, and many captured sharks have been reported to bear wounds inflicted by swordfish. Because of their power and aggression, they are regarded as being dangerous to humans and several fatal attacks have been reported.

Maximum size: 3.8 metres / 570kg.

Distribution: Worldwide and temperate waters, especially offshore, but occurs in deeper tropical waters too.

Diet: Fish, especially pelagic species such as tuna and billfish, as well as other sharks.

Reproduction: Ovoviviparous. Litters of between five and ten pups. Developed mako shark pups are known to prey upon less-well developed siblings in the mother’s uterus.

Photo: NHPA
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