Shortfin Mako Shark

The shortfin mako shark is the fastest species of shark. Its speed has been recorded at 40 km/h with bursts of up to 74 km/h . This high-leaping fish - they can leap approximately 9 m high or higher in the air - is a highly sought-after game fish worldwide. Some cases have been reported where an angry mako jumped into a boat after having been hooked.

This mako is regularly blamed for attacks on humans and, due to its speed, power, and size, it is certainly capable of injuring and killing people. However, this species will not generally attack humans and does not seem to treat them as prey. Most modern attacks involving Shortfin mako sharks are considered to have been provoked due to harassment or the shark being caught on a fishing line.

The shortfin mako inhabits offshore temperate and tropical seas worldwide.

It feeds mainly upon cephalopods and bony fish, but it may also eat other sharks, porpoises, sea turtles, and seabirds..

The shortfin mako shark is a yolk-sac ovoviviparous shark, giving birth to live young.