Mako Shark Facts

Mako Shark Profile

Sharing an ancestor with the great white shark, mako sharks are some of the most interesting fish in the sea ¹. With their large eyes, amazing leaping abilities, and unique blue-grey color, they can be hard to miss—except for the amazing speed that makes them more like an underwater dart than a shark!

Mako sharks are similar to other species of shark in that they are crepuscular. This means that they are active during the evening. You may also find them being most active in the early morning. They’re carnivores, eating as much as 3 percent of their body weight each day.

Mako Shark Facts Overview

The term “mako shark” actually refers to two different species of shark, which you’ll learn more about below. They’re found almost everywhere in the world where the water is temperate. This means that they stray away from cold regions, such as oceans in the far north and far south.

Mako sharks are ovoviviparous. This means they have eggs that hatch inside of them, allowing them to give birth to live young known as pups. While still inside their mother, pups will eat unfertilized eggs. Unlike other sharks, however, pups won’t eat each other in the womb. It takes 15 to 18 months for them to enter the world.

Because female mako sharks engage in polyandry, which is taking multiple male mates in a single breeding season, these new pups may have different paternal lines despite being born at the same time.

Interesting Mako Shark Facts

1. There are only two living species left

Mako sharks actually aren’t a single type of shark. Instead, they’re a genus: Isurus to be exact.

Historically, there were 11 different species of shark found in the genus Isurus. Today, however, we only get to know two species, the shortfin mako shark (I. oxyrinchus) and the longfin mako shark (I. paucus). The shortfin mako shark is much more common than its rare, larger cousin. In fact, the species name “paucus” is Latin for few, showing just how rare this amazing shark is.

2. It’s known for its large eyes

Mako sharks have large, black eyes. Typically, when you see sharks like the great white shark, their eyes aren’t that notable. This is because they’re small in proportion to the rest of the shark, and their eyesight typically isn’t good.

With the mako shark, however, they have excellent eyesight. Unlike other species of sharks who rely on smell for hunting, the mako shark is actually able to use their vision to help with catching their next meal.

3. The word “Mako” comes from the Māori language

While their scientific name can be traced back to Latin, the word “mako” actually has an entirely different source. This word comes from the Māori language. It can be translated to mean either “shark” or “shark tooth”. How fitting!

4. They’re highly intelligent animals!

There’s no doubt that sharks are some of the smartest animals in the world. While they may not be entering their Stone Age like crows or be able to communicate to us through talking buttons like pets, they’re still capable of complex thoughts.

And no shark demonstrates this better than the mako shark.

Mako Sharks have the largest brain to body ratios out of all other types of sharks. Studies have been conducted to see just how intelligent these fish are, and it’s shown they’re adept in critical thinking and social skills.

5. Mako sharks are one of the hardest sharks to keep in captivity

That intelligence comes with a consequence, however.

Sharks are known to be notoriously difficult to keep in captivity. Aside from whale sharks, which you can find at some of the larger aquariums in the world, or smaller species like bamboo sharks, these aren’t fish you can expect to see in captivity.

There are many reasons for this. Disposition, intelligence, exercise requirements, and general quality of life are all components. Because of their intelligence and need for social interaction, few sharks fare as poorly as the shortfin mako shark in captivity.

6. They’re some of the fastest sharks

So far, you’ve learned that mako sharks excel in many areas. These amazing species of fish are some of the most intelligent sharks with some of the best vision. However, it doesn’t stop there. Mako sharks are also some of the fastest sharks in the entire world! They can reach top-speeds up to 74 kilometers per hour.

7. Mako sharks mature slowly

Mako sharks are considered a vulnerable to endangered tye of shark. However, why is this? Overfishing has played a large role, but it’s not the only reason.

Instead, one of the main reasons why mako sharks have achieved this categorization is because it takes them so long to mature. This means that there are several years between generations, with females then have only around half a dozen to a dozen pups per litter.

Mako Shark Fact-File Summary

Scientific Classification

1. Danielle Torrent (2012), “New ancient shark species gives insight into origin of great white”, Florida Museum.