MAKO SHARK
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Mako sharks are distinctive because of the sleek streamlined
appearance, with large gill slits, a pointed
snout, large mouth with long
teeth and long narrow pectoral fins. The intense
blue color and distinct
countershade line are also characteristic of
this strikingly beautiful shark.
COMMON NAMES
Shortfin, mako
SWIMMING PATTERNS
Mako sharks swim with a series of muscle
contractions along with a sideways
movement of the tail. They have a stiffer body
than the other sharks, propelling
itself through the water with short strokes of
its thick, powerful tail.
BREEDING AND FEEDING HABITS
Mako sharks can have up to 10 pups, which are
developed inside the mother.
The breeding of Mako is similar to that of the
porbeagle. The pups can reach
sizes between 25 to 30 inches.
Feeding: They feed on a variety of other
fishes, especially mackerel, tuna, and
bointos. It is one of the few predators of swordfish.
HABITAT
Makos are worldwide in distribution, favouring
tropical temperate waters.
They do not school, and they are never seen in
very large numbers. Like the
porbeagle, the mako tends to inhabit deeper
waters than the great white shark.
GROWTH
The oldest female shark known was to be 11.5
years old at a length of 3.28
meters. The oldest male found was known to be
4.5 years old at a length
of 2.25 meters.
PRODUCTION & SURVIVAL
Predation & Competition. Mako
sharks appear to have few enemies
except man. It has little, if any, commercial
value in Canada, although it may
have some potential as a game fish.
Elsewhere when abundant the flesh,
fins, and liver ( oil ) are used for human
consumption and the hides for
leather; carcasses are also used to produce
fishmeal. It is generally regarded
as a dangerous shark that has attacked people
and boats but not in
Canadian waters.
ENVIRONMENT CONDITIONS
Occurs worldwide in both inshore and offshore
waters - in the Atlantic,
Pacific, and Indian Oceans and adjoining
seas. It is probably the widest -
ranging of all sharks. In the western
Atlantic from Newfoundland and the Gulf
of St. Lawrence to Argentina. Its
occurrence in Canadian waters are from
southeastern Newfoundland, Grand Bank, the Gulf
of St. Lawrence,
and the Scotian Shelf. Most occupancies in
Canadian waters
are in the summer months, although sharks have
been taken in almost
every month except December and January.
In southern Canadian
waters it is not uncommon but seldom reported.