In this page you will learn about the fascinating Mako shark.

Mako Shark – Isurus oxyrinchus

The mako shark is litteraly  found all over the world. They are very diverse and so you will find some that live in warm waters, while others live in colder temperatures. Some live close to the shores in shallow water while others prefer the depths of the ocean. The vast majority of mako sharks are found in the waters surrounding Tahiti.

People are encouraged to watch out for the mako sharp. While they don’t eat people or large animals they have been known to aggressively attack. They don’t like people in their environment as they view them as a threat. Many people don’t think the mako is anything to worry about due to their small size but that isn’t true.

Facts about the Mako Shark

You may see a mako shark leaping out of the water from time to time. There isn’t any known reason why they do this. It may be to search for food that is above the surface. Some people assume they do so for air but that isn’t necessary for this species of shark or any other.

They are also the fastest of all species of sharks in the world. They can swim at a top speed of 60 miles per hour when they are migrating or hunting for food. They generally swim at a speed of about 35 miles an hour on a regular basis.

Mako sharks are often hunted for sport since they aren’t very large. Many trophy hunters want to mount one of their wall. They are very fast swimmers though so being able to get one takes a great deal of patience and skill.

What does a Mako Shark eat?

The Mako shark isn’t picky about what it eats by any means. It prefers to consume fish that are found in schools like for example, the Primary tuna, herring, and swordfish. Since it is willing to eat whatever it can find though there is no question about it being able to survive in any type of environment.

Mako Shark Anatomy

The mako shark has a very pretty dark blue color on top. It is white underneath which allows it to blend in and stay hidden when it is hunting for food. It has a unique nose that has a point to it like a cone. They are very big sharks in reference to their weight which can be up to 1,000 pounds. They are between 6 and 9 feet long but some species do get to be about 12 feet in length.

They have extremely long teeth that are also thin. They are sharp but not like those of sharks that consume larger fish and animals in the water. The teeth are slightly tilted as well to help them keep a grip on slippery fish they care to dine on.

Reproduction of the Mako Shark

Once the female and male have mated, eggs are inside of the female. After 18 months of gestation, they will hatch inside of the mother. She can has from  4 to 18  pups at a length of about 28 inches.

What can we Expect in the Future for the Mako Shark?

Conservation Status: Vulnerable

The numbers of mako sharks has dropped due to the high rate of hunting them for sports. They are also killed due to the aggressive nature they tend to have towards humans. If humans will leave them alone though they should have a bright future. The fact that mako sharks can adapt to warm or cold water, deep or shallow water, and will eat anything  probably means it can evolve to adapt to the various conditions available.