Mako sharks are highly efficient and powerful marine predators that inhabit oceans worldwide. Known for their remarkable speed, these sleek sharks can reach bursts of up to 74 kilometers per hour (46 miles per hour), making them one of the fastest fish in the sea. Their streamlined, torpedo-shaped bodies and pointed snouts are perfectly adapted for swift movement through water. As members of the mackerel shark family, Lamnidae, mako sharks occupy a position at the top of the food chain in their pelagic, or open ocean, environment.
Mako Shark Perception
The public often views mako sharks as inherently aggressive or dangerous. This perception stems from their impressive physical attributes and behaviors. Their powerful jaws and sharp, dagger-like teeth, which can protrude even when their mouths are closed, contribute to an intimidating image.
Mako sharks also exhibit powerful hunting techniques. Their spectacular ability to leap high out of the water, known as breaching, further solidifies their reputation. Additionally, portrayals in media and narratives from fishing activities, where makos are known for their fighting qualities when hooked, reinforce the idea of their aggressive nature.
Understanding Mako Behavior
Mako sharks’ behaviors are primarily focused on efficiency within their natural habitat. Their hunting strategies involve pursuing fast-moving prey such as tuna, mackerel, swordfish, and bonito. They often lunge vertically from below, targeting the fins and flanks of their prey to disable them.
These sharks help control prey populations and maintain oceanic balance. When not provoked or threatened, their temperament is not hostile towards non-prey species like humans. Their power and speed are primarily tools for hunting and survival, not for unprovoked aggression towards humans. Mako sharks possess a specialized circulatory system that allows them to maintain a body temperature higher than the surrounding water, providing an advantage for sustained activity and speed. The shortfin mako has even recorded a bite force of 13,000 newtons (approximately 3,000 pounds), the strongest ever measured for any shark.
Human Encounters
Interactions between mako sharks and humans are rare. The International Shark Attack File (ISAF) documents only 10 confirmed unprovoked mako shark attacks globally, with just one fatality. Most incidents occur under specific circumstances, related to fishing activities.
These encounters frequently involve sharks that are hooked, brought onto boats, or in close proximity to fishing operations, where they may react defensively due to stress or agitation. Spearfishing can also attract mako sharks, as they may associate humans with feeding opportunities. In some instances, bites are attributed to mistaken identity, where the shark may deliver a test bite, often releasing after initial contact. Mako sharks inhabit open ocean (pelagic) waters and rarely venture into the shallow coastal areas where most human swimming occurs. Ultimately, humans pose a greater threat to mako shark populations through overfishing and bycatch than these sharks do to humans.