TM
Common Name: Shortfin Mako, Mackeral Shark
Scientific Name: Isurus oxyrhincus
Size: Up to 3.9m
Found: Worldwide temperate and tropical waters
Population Status: Vulnerable to extinction (IUCN 2007)
Tooth Shape:
Long slender teeth for eating
schooling pelagic fishes,
cephalopods and other sharks.
Reproduction:
Ovoviviparous - eggs hatch inside the mother, and live young are born.
Pups are born after a gestation of about 15-18 months. Normally between 4-18 pups are born measuring 70cm in length.
Interesting Facts:
The Shortfin Mako is the fastest of all the sharks, reaching speeds around 50km/h and can leap up to 20m out of the water.
Although ages of sharks are generally not well studied, the Mako is thought to live between 12-32 years.
There are 2 species of Mako Sharks, both are classified as Vulnerable to extinction.
The shortfin mako has a heat exchange circulatory system which allows the shark to maintain its body temperature around 4-7°C warmer than the surrounding water. This enables makos to quickly build up speed when chasing prey, maintaining high levels of activity and giving it a speedy advantage.
Mako sharks have beautiful metallic blue sheen to their skin.
www.flmnh.ufl.edu
