The Shortfin Mako shark is a highly adapted predator of the open ocean, renowned for its incredible speed. As one of the fastest fish in the world, its primary hunting tool is a formidable, specialized mouth designed to capture and subdue swift-moving prey. The mako’s success as an apex hunter relies entirely on the efficiency of its unique dental structure, perfectly suited for chasing down fast-swimming fish like tuna and swordfish.
The Specific Tooth Count
The immediate answer to how many teeth a Mako shark possesses focuses on the number of functional teeth present at any given moment. A typical adult Shortfin Mako shark has approximately 48 to 52 functional teeth actively in use along the edges of its jaws. This count can fluctuate slightly among individual sharks, but it represents the functional cutting and grasping surface.
The teeth are distributed almost equally between the upper and lower jaws, generally with about 24 to 26 teeth positioned in each. This numerical consistency ensures that the shark’s bite remains balanced and effective for piercing and holding prey. This count represents the full complement of teeth ready for action.
Anatomy and Function of Mako Teeth
The distinctive appearance of Mako shark teeth directly reflects their specialized diet and predatory behavior. These teeth are long, slender, and feature an awl-like, conical shape, often with a subtle backward curve. This morphology is designed for a piscivorous diet, allowing the shark to easily penetrate the tough, slippery skin of fast-moving fish.
Unlike the teeth of a Great White shark, Mako teeth lack serrations, possessing instead a smooth, razor-sharp edge. This smooth surface prevents the teeth from tearing out of the flesh of its prey, which could happen if the fish violently thrashes during a high-speed chase. The hooked shape and smooth edges work together to grasp and secure the prey, ensuring it cannot slip away once caught.
The largest teeth are found toward the front of the jaw, with some anterior teeth noticeably protruding and visible even when the shark’s mouth is closed. This arrangement allows the Mako to impale and hold its quarry with a quick, decisive bite. The slender profile of the teeth also helps maintain the jaw’s streamlined shape, contributing to the shark’s overall hydrodynamic efficiency.
The Continuous Tooth Replacement System
The functional teeth visible along the jawline are only the final stage of a biological process known as polyphyodonty. Like all sharks, the Mako continuously develops and replaces teeth throughout its entire life. This mechanism guarantees that the shark always has a set of sharp, intact teeth for hunting.
Behind the front, functional row of teeth, a Mako shark maintains multiple rows of replacement teeth, sometimes totaling 11 to 13 rows in each jaw. These developing teeth lie flat against the jaw cartilage, waiting to move forward in a process often described as a “conveyor belt” system. As teeth in the front row are lost or damaged during feeding, the rows behind them slowly shift forward.
The replacement teeth move toward the exterior edge of the jaw, gradually standing upright until they become the new, sharp functional row. This constant rotation ensures that any tooth broken off while attacking prey is quickly replaced, often within a matter of weeks.