Mako Shark: Considered One Of The Fastest Fish In The Oceans

The Mako Shark is considered the fastest fish in the world, in addition to presenting dangers to humans.

Another relevant feature about this animal would be its value in commerce, something that we will address in the course of the content.

Mako Shark: Considered One Of The Fastest Fish In The Oceans

In addition, you will be able to check information about reproduction, feeding and distribution.

Classification:

• Scientific name – Isurus oxyrinchus;
• Family – Lamnidae.

Features of the Mako Shark

Already abroad, in regions such as Galicia and Portugal, individuals are called marraxo or porbeagle shark.

So, understand that this would be a fusiform shark that has big black eyes.

Its snout would be sharp, as well as its teeth are narrow, large and hook-shaped with smooth edges.

Among the characteristics that differentiate the species, know that individuals have small dorsal and anal fins.

On the other hand, the coloration throughout the body would be metallic blue, being dark blue in the upper region and white in the lower part.

The shark reaches about 4 m in total length and 580 kg in weight.

That is, the species is large and the growth rate would be accelerated when compared to other species of the same family.

It is also important that you understand that this would be the fastest fish because it reaches 88 km/h in short distances.

It is only surpassed in speed by the golden tuna and the marlin, which can reach 120 km/h.

Therefore, know that this species also has the common name “peregrine falcon of the sea”, due to its speed.

Also understand that Mako has the ability to maintain body temperature higher than the temperature of the environment itself.

Finally, the animal is considered vulnerable due to overfishing.

Mako Shark Reproduction

There is little information about the reproduction of the Mako Shark, so we only know that the female can generate up to 18 offspring.

They give birth in 15 to 18 months and reproduction occurs every 3 years.

Individuals are born between 60 and 70 cm in total length and a curious point is that the strongest pups simply devour the weakest ones.

For this reason, there is a great battle for dominance, something that indicates the cannibal behavior of the species.

Food

The Mako Shark eats deep-sea fish and other smaller sharks.

It can also feed on cephalopods and larger prey such as the billfish.

Embryos eat the yolk sac and other eggs that are produced by the mother.

Curiosities

Speaking initially about the dangers that the species offers to the human being, we must remember its speed.

With agility, the animal can jump out of the water when hooked, something that offers great risks to fishermen.

There was a case of attack at the end of 2016, in Rio Grande do Sul, in which a 32-year-old fisherman was killed by an individual of this species.

The victim had managed to capture the animal that bit him in the calf.

On the other hand, many studies indicate that the Mako Shark does not pose great risks to humans.

According to an ISAF statistic, it was found that there were only 9 short-range attacks on humans.

The 9 attacks took place between 1580 and 2017.

Also, there were only 20 boat attacks, including the fisherman we mentioned above.

So know that this species would be potentially dangerous.

By the way, it is interesting that you understand about the commercial importance of Mako.

The species can be sold fresh, dried, salted, smoked or frozen because its meat is of excellent quality.

The animal’s skin is also sold, as are the fins and oil that is extracted for vitamins.

Finally, the animal’s teeth and jaws are sold and used as trophies or ornaments.

Where to find the Mako Shark

The Mako Shark is present in temperate and tropical seas, including the Western Atlantic and regions from the Gulf of Maine to southern Brazil and Argentina.

Therefore, it inhabits the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.

When considering the East Atlantic, individuals are present from Norway to South Africa, so we can include the Mediterranean.

Distribution also occurs in the Indo-Pacific in places such as East Africa to Hawaii and Primorskiy Kray, which is in the Russian Federation.

In addition, there are fish in Australia and New Zealand.

Finally, the presence in the eastern Pacific is limited to the Aleutian Islands and southern California in the United States, as well as Chile.

Thus, Mako inhabits waters above 16°C and which are about 150 m deep.

This would be an oceanic species that is also seen on the coast and prefers to stay in warm waters.

Importance of the Mako Shark

To end our content, it is important that you understand the relevance of this species.

Makos do not have any kind of predator, which makes them fundamental hunters.

Basically, this shark has the ability to control the overpopulation of all other species.

In this sense, Mako contributes positively to the maintenance of a complex and diverse marine ecosystem.

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