Shortfin Mako Shark – Isurus oxyrinchus

Where to See Them

Alternative Names

Bonito Shark, Blue Pointer

Diet

A Mako Shark’s diet consists of tuna, herring, mackerel, swordfish but may also eat other sharks, porpoises and sea turtles

Maximum Size

They can grow up to 4m / 13 ft

Danger to Humans

High risk

The Mako Sharks are considered high risk due to their predatory behavior and speed when hunting. It has been known for divers to feed the smaller Mako’s by hand but much caution is needed when dealing with large Mako’s.

Where they roam

Mako Sharks roam Temperate to Tropical waters worldwide. The Mako Shark roams predominantly in the open ocean so therefore does not come into contact with humans very often. The Mako Shark is present in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and they have been tracked down to depths of 450m / 1450 ft.

The Mako Shark is the fastest shark in the ocean. It is an extremely athletic shark and can leap up to 20 meters out of the water which even beats the dolphin and can swim up to speeds of 50km/h. Unfortunately the Mako Shark is a prized catch as a game fish and trophy hunters are still permitted to catch this beautiful shark. The Mako Shark has a conical Snout and long gill slits with short pectoral fins and a crescent shaped tail fin. The Mako Shark has long needle-like teeth which are clearly visible at all times (A dentists nightmare). The most striking feature of the Mako Shark is its large black eyes as can be seen below:

The Shortfin Mako Shark is potentially a dangerous shark. They are extremely fast and sharp when around food, caution is advisable when free-diving with these beautiful sharks. The smaller sharks do not normally pose a threat to divers and divers in the past have hand-fed small Mako Sharks. Caution must however be made when around larger and more mature sharks. The Mako Shark swims in the same waters as the Blue Shark and is boss. Mako Sharks are dominant in these waters and it has been known for Mako Sharks to kill Blue Sharks. The Mako Shark roams predominantly in the open ocean so does not come into contact with humans very often. The Mako Shark has up to 16 pups in a litter being approximately 70cm in length and can grow up to 4m / 13ft in length.

Stricken by fear?

The Mako Shark is considered to be high risk to humans but this is only in extreme circumstances and with large Mako Sharks. In South Africa the operators Apex Expeditions and African Shark Eco-Charters run trips 20 miles out from Cape Point and offer free-diving with the Blue Sharks and Mako Sharks. This activity is not in a cage and offers divers a very unique experience up close and personal with these beautiful sharks.