The Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus "sharp nose") is commonly called just Mako Shark, despite there being more than one species of mako. The Shortfin Mako is a large shark of the Lamnidae family.
Anatomy
With a full-grown size of 9-13 feet (2.75–4 m). It has been reported to weigh up to 1750 pounds (800 kg) and has a bluish top and a white underside. Although the sexes grow at about the same rate, females are thought to have a longer life span. Females grow larger and weigh more than the males. Shortfin Makos are renowned for their speed and their ability to leap out of the water. The reason that Mako sharks go so fast is because their scales are designed in a special way to where they capture water. This may sound like a set back, but in reality, it is proven that the captured water forms a shield over the sharks body, and the water on water friction is less than water on scale. This fact is now being applied to swim suits and now even airplanes to reduce on flight time and fuel cost.
Naming
The name mako comes from the Māori blue lightning in reflection of its colour and speed.
Distribution
The shortfin mako is found in temperate and tropical seas all around the world.
Behavior
The sharks speed has been recorded at over 22 miles (35 kilometers) per hour. Makos can jump up to 20 feet in the air.
This high leaping fish is sought as game worldwide. Some of the largest makos in the world can be found in New England waters. The closely related Longfin Mako Shark, Isurus paucus, is found in the Gulf Stream or warmer offshore waters. Shortfin Makos were popularized in the movie Deep Blue Sea.
Reproduction
The Shortfin Mako Shark is a yolk-sac ovoviviparous shark, meaning it gives birth to live young who feed off of a sac full of yolk in the womb. The gestation period for a Mako Shark is 15-18 months. Mako embryo in the female's body literally consume each other to get nutrients. This is called intrauterine cannibalism.
See also
References
External links
- Fisbase info for Shortfin Mako shark, Isurus oxyrinchus
- Template:Marinebio
- "Lamniformes." Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia E-Book. (requires license to view)
de:Kurzflossen-Mako es:Isurus oxyrinchus ja:アオザメ nl:Mako Shark zh:鼠鲨科
