Mako sharks, including the Shortfin Mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) and the Longfin Mako (Isurus paucus), are impressive predators found primarily in temperate and tropical offshore waters. These highly migratory, pelagic species spend their lives far from coastal swimming areas. They are celebrated for their incredible speed and power. The question of whether these animals pose a significant threat to humans is often driven by their fearsome reputation, but the answer lies in understanding the context of their natural behavior versus the statistical reality of human encounters.
Physical Traits That Define Mako Sharks
The Mako shark is a perfect example of hydrodynamic efficiency, possessing a sleek, spindle-shaped body built for rapid movement through the water. Their specialized musculature allows the Shortfin Mako to achieve bursts of speed estimated to reach up to 45 miles per hour, making it the fastest known shark species. This athleticism is supported by a specialized circulatory system that acts as a countercurrent heat exchanger, enabling the shark to maintain a body temperature warmer than the surrounding water, which enhances muscle function and reaction speed.
Their dentition is distinct and designed for grasping and holding fast-moving, slippery prey like tuna and swordfish. The teeth are long, slender, and conical, often visible even when the shark’s mouth is closed, giving them a fearsome appearance. Unlike the broad, triangular teeth of some coastal sharks, Mako teeth are built for puncturing and securing, not sawing through large prey. Shortfin Mako sharks can reach significant sizes, often growing to lengths of 10 to 13 feet and weighing over 1,000 pounds. This combination of size, speed, and specialized weaponry means that any interaction carries the potential for serious injury.
Statistical Reality of Interactions with Humans
Despite their formidable physical traits, Mako sharks are responsible for an extremely small number of incidents involving humans. The International Shark Attack File (ISAF) records only a handful of confirmed, unprovoked attacks attributed to the species over centuries of data collection. This is largely because the Mako’s preferred habitat is the open ocean, far from the nearshore waters where the vast majority of human recreational activities take place. The species is not considered one of the “big three” sharks most commonly involved in unprovoked attacks globally.
When incidents do occur, they are often classified by the ISAF as either unprovoked or provoked, with the latter being more common for Makos. An unprovoked incident involves a shark biting a live human in the shark’s natural habitat without human initiation. The few unprovoked incidents attributed to Makos are often considered cases of mistaken identity, where the shark may be investigating an unfamiliar object. Although rare, the power and speed of the Mako mean that a bite, even an investigatory one, can result in severe trauma.
The majority of reported Mako encounters fall into the provoked category, meaning the shark was engaged with human activity at the time of the incident. These provoked interactions typically involve the shark being caught on a fishing line, harassed, or otherwise drawn into conflict by human actions. The risk of a serious incident rises dramatically when a Mako is hooked or brought onto a boat, where its immense strength and natural response to being captured can be highly dangerous.
Scenarios That Increase the Likelihood of Encounters
Specific human activities dramatically elevate the risk of an encounter with a Mako shark. The most frequent scenario involves deep-sea fishing, where the Mako is targeted as a sport fish or caught incidentally on longlines. A hooked Mako is known for its powerful, aggressive attempts to escape, which can involve tremendous leaps out of the water. An encounter is particularly likely to become violent when fishermen attempt to gaff, handle, or bring the struggling shark onto a vessel.
Spearfishing is another activity that increases the probability of an interaction, as the sight and sound of an injured, struggling fish can attract the attention of a Mako. The chemical and vibrational distress signals from a speared fish mimic the shark’s natural feeding cues, drawing the predator closer to the diver. Similarly, using chum or bait to attract fish in the open ocean can inadvertently draw Mako sharks into an area with human activity. These oceanic predators are highly attuned to blood and scent cues in the water column.
The Mako’s offshore habitat means that typical coastal recreation, such as swimming or surfing near the beach, carries a negligible risk of encounter. The vast majority of Mako incidents occur many miles from shore, in the deep-water environments where they hunt. Therefore, the likelihood of an interaction is almost entirely confined to those who actively venture into the Mako’s pelagic territory and engage in activities that mimic a food source or provoke a defensive reaction.