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Shortfin Mako
Image by U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - License: Public Domain. (view image details)
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Mako Shark head
Image by Spotty11222 - License: Public Domain. (view image details)
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SHORTFIN MAKO FACTS |
Description
Pointed snout and long, slender teeth that protrude from the mouth. The second dorsal and anal fins are small and the caudal fin is lunate (moon-shaped). There is a single keel on the caudal peduncle. The upper surface of the body is indigo blue, abruptly changing to lighter blue on the sides and white below. Body size up to 400 cm.
Believed to be the fastest of all sharks. the Shortfin Mako feeds mainly on bony fishes and cephalopods (octopus, squid, cuttlefish), but large individuals over 3 m in length are known to take larger prey such as billfishes and small cetaceans (whales and dolphins). It has a heat exchange circulatory system that enables the body to be warmer than the surrounding water and thus maintain a high level of activity. When hooked, it can make spectacular leaps out of the water. It has been known to attack boats and injure fishers after being hooked.
Author credit: Mark McGrouther / Australian Museum
Habitat
Tropical and temperate waters.
Food
Carnivore
Range
Around Australia
Species Description is from Museums Field Guide, Atlas of Living Australia at website at https://lists.ala.org.au Licensed under Creative Commons Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Classification
| Class: | Chondrichthyes | | Order: | Lamniformes | | Family: | Lamnidae | | Genus: | Isurus | | Species: | oxyrinchus | | Common Name: | Shortfin Mako |
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