To see photographs of the Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) click here.
Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)
All images and text on this page are copyright
protected: © 2002 Kelvin Aitken.
All rights reserved. Students may use this information for personal research
only. Not for commercial use.
A clear look at a Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) quickly picks
up the snaggle-toothed gape, long conical snout, large black eyes and
the metallic indigo blue colour on the back fading down the sides to a
white belly and a tail with almost symmetrical lobes. This species can
be found anywhere off Australia except for the Gulf of Carpentaria. They
are found throughout tropical to temperate seas of the Atlantic and Indo
Pacific.
Anglers count the Mako as a prize catch since their fighting ability is
enhanced by spectacular aerial leaps. It is feared to some extent around
boats as it has been recorded attacking and damaging craft, an event possibly
encouraged by berley and/or electrical fields sensed around metal in the
water. On the other hand, Mako Sharks have been hand fed in the open by
divers and there are only a few documented attacks on humans, usually
related to spear fishing activities. That said, it would be in the interests
of divers and swimmers to exit the water when in the vicinity of a mako
shark.
This fast-swimming shark eats speedy prey, such as tuna and billfish, with larger specimens also feeding on dolphins. Their speed, in part, is attributed to their being "warm blooded", with their core body temperature being maintained a couple of degrees above the surrounding water temperature. This is achieved by a heat exchange system between the muscles and blood flowing back from the gills. This system has been found in a number of the Mackerel Shark family.