Species page
Shortfin Mako
Common name: Shortfin mako shark
One of the ocean’s fastest sharks.
Isurus oxyrinchus
Endangered
Overview
The shortfin mako is built for speed: slim, powerful, and tuned for chasing fast pelagic prey. It spends much of its life in open water, sometimes crossing whole ocean regions. Modern assessments point much more strongly to fishing pressure than to conflict with people. A streamlined spindle-shaped shark with a pointed snout, very long gill slits, narrow-bladed teeth that remain visible when the mouth is closed, and a strongly lunate tail. The body is metallic blue-gray above and white below. Circumglobal in tropical to temperate seas, especially in oceanic waters but also over continental shelves and around islands.
Often occupies the upper water column offshore, though it also visits shelf-edge and coastal areas. It ranges through warm and temperate surface waters and can dive deeply during foraging.
An important indicator of pelagic trophic health.
Why it matters: Its body design is so efficient that makos are widely cited as among the fastest sharks in the open ocean.
Common nameShortfin mako shark
Scientific nameIsurus oxyrinchus
FamilyLamnidae
OrderLamniformes
Max length4.0 m
Depth range0 to 740 meters
ConservationEndangered
RegionWorldwide temperate and tropical oceans
DietTunas, swordfish, mackerel, squid
HabitatOffshore pelagic waters
Why it stands outRapid endothermic swimming and burst acceleration
What this shark is
A streamlined spindle-shaped shark with a pointed snout, very long gill slits, narrow-bladed teeth that remain visible when the mouth is closed, and a strongly lunate tail. The body is metallic blue-gray above and white below.
Where it lives
Circumglobal in tropical to temperate seas, especially in oceanic waters but also over continental shelves and around islands.
Often occupies the upper water column offshore, though it also visits shelf-edge and coastal areas. It ranges through warm and temperate surface waters and can dive deeply during foraging.
How it differs from similar sharks
Rapid endothermic swimming and burst acceleration
Compare it against Longfin mako shark and Great White Shark.
Why it is notable
Occasional bites or boat strikes are documented, especially when hooked or handled, but the major concern is heavy fishing pressure from targeted and incidental capture.
Related shark pages
These links are meant to help readers continue through related species, not force extra clicks.
Longfin mako shark
Common name: longfin mako
This species belongs to the mackerel shark family, where speed, endurance, and a streamlined build dominate the design. Think powerful open-water movement, long-distance travel, and a slow life history that does not absorb heavy fishing easily.
4.2 m max
Great White Shark
Common name: White shark
Fast, powerful apex predator built for bursts of speed.
6.1 m maxVulnerable