The Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) is widely recognized as the fastest shark in the ocean, a title that hints at its extraordinary physical capabilities. This apex predator is built like a torpedo, with a sleek, hydrodynamic body that allows it to slice through the water with minimal drag. The mako’s speed is the engine behind one of the most spectacular sights in marine biology: the high-velocity, vertical leap completely out of the water, a behavior known as breaching. This incredible burst of athleticism demonstrates the profound power generated by its specialized musculature.
Documented Maximum Breaching Height
The question of how high a mako shark can jump has a direct answer rooted in reliable observation, though it is often difficult to measure precisely in the wild. Shortfin makos frequently leap out of the water, and these breaches are sometimes observed reaching heights of 20 feet above the surface. This twenty-foot mark is a commonly cited figure for the shark’s maximum height during a natural breach, such as when hunting or pursuing fast-moving prey.
Breaching events are frequently anecdotal, relying on accounts from fishermen, boaters, and researchers. The absolute maximum height a mako can achieve is reliably estimated to be in the range of 20 to 30 feet. When a mako is hooked on a fishing line, the combination of its natural escape response and the resistance of the line can sometimes propel it to the upper end of this height range.
The Speed and Power Behind the Jump
The mako’s ability to achieve such an impressive vertical leap is a direct function of its exceptional speed and unique biological adaptations. The shark has a highly streamlined body shape and a large, crescent-shaped caudal fin, or tail, which is designed for maximum thrust and minimal drag. The tail’s high aspect ratio—the proportion of its height relative to its length—provides almost all the propulsion needed to generate rapid acceleration.
This rapid acceleration is fueled by the mako’s high percentage of red muscle tissue, which is specially adapted for sustained, high-energy output. The shortfin mako is capable of reaching burst swimming speeds up to 45 miles per hour (70 kilometers per hour), making it the fastest recorded shark. Furthermore, the mako is regionally endothermic, meaning it can keep its internal muscle temperature warmer than the surrounding water. This counter-current heat exchange system allows the muscles to operate at a higher, more consistent power level, providing the necessary momentum to break the water’s surface and continue upward into the air.
Behavioral Reasons for Breaching
The immense energy expenditure required for a mako shark to breach suggests that the behavior serves several important biological purposes.
- Hunting Strategy: The mako uses its burst of speed to ambush prey from below, launching itself into the air to stun or capture fast-moving animals like tuna or swordfish.
- Hygiene: Breaching may serve to dislodge external parasites or remoras that cling to the shark’s skin, as the forceful impact of landing shakes them off.
- Escape Mechanism: Makos are often observed breaching when hooked on fishing lines, attempting to use the aerial motion to break free from the capture gear.
- Communication: The behavior is also theorized to play a role in display, with the large splash potentially signaling to other makos in the open ocean.