Known for their rapid speed, warm-blooded nature and now their endangered status, mako sharks are at the top of their respective food webs as adults. Despite this, they’re still frequently over-fished by humans and targeted by other species as juveniles. Read more to find out about this fascinating & fast fish.

Species Information

Named for the Maori term for shark or shark tooth, mako sharks are unique ocean predators. Both shortfin and longfin mako sharks are generalized by the genus Isurus, and longfins are often mistaken for their shortfin counterparts because of how similar they look. The only differences in the longfin mako shark are a longer fin and larger eyes, so this distinction is often hard to make in the moment.

Both species of mako shark generally share the same preferences in food. Mako sharks normally hunt for fish like tuna, bonito and mackerel, as well as squids, other sharks, sea turtles, small marine mammals and sometimes dead organic matter. This apex predator can reach up to 12 feet and 1200 pounds if the conditions are right! Like most shark species, female mako sharks are usually larger than males and tend to live longer. Mako sharks can live up to 30 years old if they’re not hunted when they’re young.

The mako shark is considered the fastest shark in the ocean with a top speed of 45 miles per hour, and this makes it one of the fastest fishes as well. Every shark has its unique hunting style, and mako sharks are quite creative in their approach to hunting. These fast and furious predators are known to hide directly below their prey and swiftly dart upwards in order to capture the creature in question. Capture isn’t always the name of the game for mako sharks, and they’ll repeat this darting process several times if necessary to take as many bites as possible from their prey.

Despite this rapid hunting style, mako sharks are nearly twice as likely to attack boats and other vessels than humans. Of reported shark attacks in the last few centuries, mako sharks make up 11 attacks total with only one fatality. This number may be slightly off since not all shark attacks are reported, but compared to great whites, bull sharks or tiger sharks, mako shark attack numbers are drastically lower. This low count is most likely due to mako sharks being open water species as opposed to sharks that tend to linger near the shoreline.

Interesting Facts About Mako Sharks

Sharks in general have plenty of mechanisms that set them apart from other ocean life. However, the mako shark has certain structures and traits that earn them the label of being extremely unique even among shark species.

For example, mako sharks have what’s called a countercurrent exchanger. This system allows the shark to preserve a body temperature up to ten degrees higher than the surrounding water. As a result, mako sharks have an easier time hunting in cold water, as well as having boosted intelligence, endurance and a higher metabolism.

Perhaps as a result of this system mako sharks have the most significant brain to body ratio of any shark species. While many sharks rely on skin structures called ampullae of Lorenzini to detect electrical signals from nearby prey, mako sharks rely almost entirely on their smell, vision and hearing to hunt.

Part of the reason mako sharks are endangered is because their time in the womb is somewhere between 15 and 18 months. Add to this that males only become adults between 7 and 9 years, and females between 18 and 21 years. It’s easy to see why replacing the population is difficult for these sharks.

Mako sharks are also some of the fastest sharks in the ocean because of their compressed tail base. This feature allows them to slice through the water like a blade, and with this feature they’re able to reach up to 45 miles per hour when swimming and achieve 30 feet jumps out of water!

Though this may not be an ingrained trait, two mako sharks that were monitored by the University of Florida were used to predict the 2016 presidential election results, and subsequent senate and gubernatorial races. This was determined by the length they swam between two dates, and this was an effective method in two out of the three cases for not being rooted in fact! Even though one candidate did not win his promised seat, it gave the shark monitoring program more attention than it would have gotten before these results were called.

Where do Mako Sharks Mostly Live?

Both species of mako shark tend to stay in temperate to tropical waters across the world, and they usually dwell further out from shore. Mako sharks are considered a pelagic species, meaning they’re usually found in the open ocean anywhere from the surface to 500 feet below.

Since they rely on sight as a primary hunting sense, mako sharks may be spotted in the ‘photic zone’ during daylight hours. Generally, the photic zone is considered anywhere between the ocean’s surface and 260 feet below, where light still penetrates so that mako sharks can see their prey.

Are Mako Sharks Rare?

As of 2022, mako sharks are now vulnerable to extinction mainly because of human capture and overfishing. 2018 saw both species classified by the IUCN as endangered; however, they may be getting some help to regenerate in the future.

Late in 2021, the International Commission for Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) agreed to end the overfishing that ultimately leads to many mako shark captures. This includes a 2-year retention ban specifically for shortfin mako sharks. It wasn’t until 2021 that this agreement was formally made, despite action being advised since 2017.

Longfin mako sharks weren’t left out of the deal either. As a result of this landmark ban, longfin mako sharks had new measures enacted so that scientists can now examine their catch trends. It’s long been assumed that longfin makos have been suffering the same fate since longfins are so often mistaken for shortfin makos, but now this data can actually be studied to confirm speculation.

How Many Mako Sharks Are Left?

While it’s hard to estimate exactly how many mako sharks are currently left in Earth’s oceans, both mako shark species’ endangered status is enough to say that there aren’t many left. Shortfin mako sharks are especially overfished in Mediterranean and North Atlantic waters, and this has led to a huge decline in the species along with their inherent slow maturity.

Two species of mako shark still exist today, but the fossil record indicates a primitive & extinct relative called the broad-toothed mako shark. It’s unclear whether this specimen was actually an early ancestor of the great white, mackerel or mako shark, but it’s certain that this apex predator had a heavy hand in how sharks evolved over time.

Does Anything Eat Mako Sharks?

Since mako sharks are often slow to grow, juveniles may be at risk for predation by other larger sharks, or by cannibalistic adults looking for an overdue meal. Mako sharks are considered to be at the top of their respective food web as far as ocean life. Both species of adult mako shark are successful hunters that are able to effectively capture prey with their aggressive hunting style.

The same cannot be said for threats from outside the ocean. Humans regularly target mako sharks commercially, or they’re sometimes accidentally captured as a result of overfishing. Mako sharks are valued for their fins and meat, and this is as huge pull for some fishermen or sport fishers to hunt them.

Longline or gillnet fishing gear, often meant for swordfish or yellowfin tuna, can easily capture mako sharks whether intentionally or accidentally. Though they might not be the largest or prettiest sharks, mako sharks are defined by their unique warm-blooded nature, honed hunting skills and their swiftness in the water. Mako sharks deserve a chance to rebuild their population without being targeted by fisherman, and the 2021 ban will hopefully give them this opportunity.

Works Cited

No author or date specified. Shortfin Mako Shark. Oceana. Retrieved January 3, 2022, from https://oceana.org/marine-life/shortfin-mako-shark/.

No author or date specified. Mako Shark. Critter Facts. Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://critterfacts.com/makoshark/.

No author specified. (March 21, 2019). IUCN Classifies Makos as Endangered on Red List, Underscores Urgent Need to Ban Fishing. Shark League for the Atlantic & Mediterranean. Retrieved January 5, 2022, from http://www.sharkleague.org/2019/03/21/iucn-classifies-makos-as-endangered-on-red-list-underscores-urgent-need-to-ban-fishing/.

Márquez, M.C. (November 24, 2021). 2021 Ends With Hope for Mako Sharks. Forbes. Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/melissacristinamarquez/2021/11/24/2021-ends-with-hope-for-mako-sharks/?sh=18024b7d45be.

No author or date specified. Fossil Broad-Toothed “Mako” Tooth – South Carolina. FossilEra. Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://www.fossilera.com/fossils/2-41-fossil-broad-toothed-mako-tooth-south-carolina.

Mancini, M. (December 18, 2018). 11 Facts About Mako Sharks. Mental Floss. Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/562060/mako-shark-facts.