The mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), also known as the mako shark, is a species of the group commonly called mackerel sharks, and It belongs to the Lamnidae family, which it shares, among others, with the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). This type of cartilaginous fish is an important predator within the marine ecosystems where it lives, and has certain peculiar characteristics that generate interest in its behavior. Join us in this tab of our site, so you can learn general aspects about the mako shark
Mako Shark Features
Let's find out below what are the features that characterize the mako shark:
- It is large: generally with lengths ranging from 3.2 to 3.8 meters long, and weights from between 60 and 135 kg.
- Females are larger than males: so they can weigh up to 150 kg.
- Has a fast growth rate: Compared to other shark species.
- The body shape is cylindrical and streamlined.
- You can have very fast movements.
- The tail fin is vertically elongated: it is also thick and quite powerful, allowing it to propel itself quickly while swimming.
- The pectoral fins, meanwhile, are short.
- The eyes are black
- The snout is pointed.
- The gill slits are quite long: it takes oxygen through them.
- Coloration varies by area: it is metallic blue on the dorsal area of the body, but white on the belly, as well as around of the mouth and below the snout.
- The color varies according to age: depending on the age of the individual it will have some shades or others.
- When young it has a black spot on its snout.
- As is common in this family of sharks, the teeth are large, conical in shape and very sharp: which can be seen out of the mouth even when it is closed.
Mako Shark Habitat
The mako shark is a cosmopolitan species, with a fairly wide distribution range in all oceans, mainly in the temperate and tropical.
It may be present in the neritic zone, that is, an area that does not exceed 200 meters, with good sunlight and in interaction with the coastal zone. Also, it can be in the oceanic, epipelagic and mesopelagic zone, around 800 meters deep. These places correspond to spaces of a wide diversity of species.
Although it prefers, as we have mentioned, temperate and tropical waters, it can move to cold water, between 5 and 11or C. Among some of the regions where it is commonly found, we find along the coasts of both the north and:
- South America
- Russia
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Indo Pacific
- East africa
- Mediterranean Sea
- Red Sea
Mako Shark Customs
The mako shark is an active species that tends to be constantly on the move. It is quite agile, fast, reaching speeds around 32 km/h One of its particular traits is when they have been caught and are still hooked, they can jump out of the water.
You can move about 55 km per day. Generally solitary, but may form certain aggregations, apparently determined by sex. It is not common for it to attack humans because it is not usually so close to the coast, but it can be an aggressive shark. In fact, it is against its prey.
Although it has been a somewhat difficult species to study, because due to its strength and activity it is not kept in captivity, it is known to have very well developed organs of the vision, smell and is capable of detecting pressure changes and water movements, which gives it significant sensory acuity.
Mako shark feeding
The mako shark is an apex predator, that is, in the ecosystems in which it develops, it is the top predator. It actively hunts different types of species, although the blue fish (Pomatomus s altatrix) is among one of its favourites.
Can also feed on:
- Other sharks.
- Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus).
- Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus).
- Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga).
- Swordfish (Xiphias gladius).
- Squid (Loligo pealeii, Illex illecebrosus).
- Dolphins (Delphinus capensis).
- Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas).
- Other small mammals.
Mako shark reproduction
This is an ovoviviparous species, that is, the offspring that do not maintain a placental connection with the mother feed first on their own egg and then, the more developed ones, eat other eggs and even their smaller siblings. Gestation lasts between 15 to 18 months, from which developed youngsters are born, with their teeth and functional organs.
As is the case with other sharks, this species does not form pairs, but only come together for reproduction. In addition, it has been seen in different females that they can be somewhat violent encounters, where the males bite their fins and belly. Mating is estimated to occur between late summer and early fall.
The range of offspring born is between 4 to 16 individuals, which measure around 70 cm approximately and are totally independent of the mother after birth. The life expectancy of the mako shark is about 30 years, being this longer in females than in males.
Mako Shark Conservation Status
The conservation status of the mako shark is Endangered and, although it is difficult to have an exact estimate of the world population, it is known that it is in decline. Threats to the species include both direct and accidental hunting.
Direct capture occurs for consumption purposes because its meat is highly commercialized but, in addition, the mako shark is highly persecuted by individuals who practice fishing as a supposed sport. It is not a sporting activity but an improper one, since sport should never cause any harm to animal species.
Regarding indirect catches, it is given by massive fishing, carried out by world fisheries that extract from the oceans in a uncontrolled marine biodiversity. Conservation actions for the mako shark have been very limited, since they depend fundamentally on the controls exercised in each region. They have not been effective enough, which is evidenced by the risk it runs globally.
