Mako sharks, known for their speed and predatory nature, often raise questions about their danger to humans. These formidable ocean hunters possess characteristics that make them effective in their natural environment. Understanding their biology, behavior, and human interactions clarifies the actual risks.
Mako Shark Characteristics and Behavior
Mako sharks are built for speed, featuring a streamlined, torpedo-shaped body, a powerful muscular tail, and a pointed snout. Their physical design allows them to reach burst speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour (approximately 45 miles per hour), making them the fastest shark species. They are also known for leaping high out of the water, sometimes reaching heights of 20 feet, often during hunting. Their diet primarily consists of fast-moving pelagic fish such as tuna, swordfish, and mackerel, along with cephalopods.
These sharks are highly migratory, traveling vast distances across oceans, inhabiting both coastal and oceanic waters in temperate and tropical regions worldwide. Mako sharks possess a unique adaptation, a specialized blood vessel structure that allows them to maintain a body temperature higher than the surrounding water. This internal temperature regulation provides them with heightened sensory capabilities and enhances their muscular efficiency, contributing to their impressive bursts of speed.
Understanding Mako Shark Encounters with Humans
Encounters between mako sharks and humans are uncommon, with unprovoked attacks being rare. Historical data indicates very few unprovoked mako shark attacks, with minimal fatalities. These statistics highlight that mako sharks do not inherently target humans as prey.
Most documented incidents involving mako sharks are categorized as provoked. These often occur when sharks are caught on fishing lines, including during catch-and-release fishing or spearfishing. A mako shark might react defensively if threatened while hooked, or if it associates human activity with competition for food. Hooked mako sharks have also leaped into fishing boats, demonstrating their power and unpredictable movements when stressed. In some cases, attacks may result from mistaken identity, particularly in murky water.
Mitigating Risks During Mako Shark Encounters
To reduce the likelihood of an encounter with a mako shark, or any shark, certain precautions can be followed. Avoiding swimming or engaging in water activities during dawn or dusk is recommended, as these are periods when many shark species are more active. It is also advisable to steer clear of areas known for high shark activity, such as places with schooling baitfish, active fishing operations, or murky water near river mouths or steep drop-offs.
Wearing shiny jewelry should be avoided, as the reflection can resemble fish scales and potentially attract sharks. Minimizing excessive splashing in the water can also help, as erratic movements might be perceived as a distressed prey animal. If a shark is sighted, the safest approach is to calmly and slowly leave the water, avoiding sudden or panicked movements. Maintaining eye contact with the shark if it approaches and retreating steadily can also be beneficial, as sharks are less likely to approach if they feel observed. It is important to never harass or provoke a shark, as this can elicit a defensive response.