The shortfin mako is the fastest shark on Earth and one of the fastest fish in any ocean, reaching burst speeds of over 70 km/h during prey pursuits. A member of the lamnid shark family alongside great whites, it is endothermic — capable of elevating body temperature above ambient seawater, which powers its explosive muscle performance. Mako sharks are highly migratory, traversing entire ocean basins and making remarkable vertical dives to depths exceeding 700 meters.
About the Mako Shark
Isurus oxyrinchus
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⚡ Speed Comparison
📸 Photo Gallery
💡 Fun Facts
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Makos are ovoviviparous — embryos hatch inside the mother and the largest siblings consume unfertilized eggs in a behavior called oophagy.
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Their teeth are visible even when their mouths are closed — an adaptation for gripping fast, slippery prey like tuna and swordfish.
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Mako sharks have been recorded leaping up to 6 meters out of the water, earning them the nickname 'the marlin of the shark world.'
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A mako can lower its body temperature by only 1-2°C in cold water through counter-current heat exchange, enabling activity in cool oceanic regions.
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They are among the few fish species that can maintain body temperature 7-10°C above surrounding seawater through regional endothermy.
📍 Where to Find This Animal
Habitat Types:
Open Ocean
🛒 Mako Shark Related Gear
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