Shortfin Mako Shark
Isurus oxyrinchus
Meaning
The species name oxyrinchus is translated from Greek "oxy" = sharp and "rynchus" = nose. Isurus is Greek for equal tail--referring to its lunate caudal fin.
Description
The average adult Mako is around 10 feet long, with the women often larger than the males. Their lifespan is usually up to 28-35 years. They inhabit temperate and tropical seas worldwide, however they tend to stay far from land and in deeper waters. Since they are endothermic it is rare that they are in colder waters (61 F). They feed mainly on cephalopods and bony fish such as mackerel, tuna, and swordfish. However they can also eat other sharks, sea turtles and seabirds. The hunt by lunging up vertically and tearing chunks off of their preys flanks and fins.
Classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Chondrichthyes
Superorder:Selachimorpha
Order:Lamniformes
Family:Lamnidae
Genus:Isurus
Species:I. oxyrinchus
Fun Facts🎉🎉🎉
- Mako Sharks are the fastest shark species in the world, traveling at an average of 60mph when hunting their prey.
- There are only two species of Mako sharks remaining; short fin and long fin.
- Their teeth are visible even when their mouths are closed.
- Often jump out of the water, some scientists speculate that they do this to search for prey from above the water surface.