Chondrichthyes
Classification
Morphology
The shortfin mako shark can be as long four meters - around thirteen feet long - and can weigh up to 570 kilograms - over 1,200 pounds. Its belly is white, and the rest of it is metallic blue. Its long tail and cylindrical body help it to be one of the fastest-swimming sharks. Their teeth are always visible. They can swim up to sixty miles per hour. The shortfin mako shark has, as suggested by its name, shorter fins than its counterpart, the longfin mako shark.
Biology
Female shortfin mako sharks tend to live longer than males, but reach sexual maturity much later than males. Females give birth to live young after a fifteen to eighteen month gestation period, after which they may wait up to eighteen months before mating again. Shortfin mako sharks feed on various fish and even some other sharks: cod, swordfish, blue sharks, grey sharks, and hammerheads, among others.
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Distribution Map
Ecological and Economic Importance
As with sharks in general, shortfin mako sharks are often blamed for attacks on humans. There have been 42 shortfin mako attacks between 1980 and 2010. It is hunted for many reasons - its high quality meat, its teeth, its hide, and for the oil within its liver. It is also popular with game fishers due its stunning agility, speed, and beauty. These sharks do not last long when kept in captivity, the longest living for five days.
Facts
These sharks love to jump out of the water for reasons that are largely unknown.
Before attacking, shortfin mako sharks swim in a figure eight pattern with their mouths open.
Before attacking, shortfin mako sharks swim in a figure eight pattern with their mouths open.
Vocabulary
Resources
Osteichthyes
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Sygnathiformes
Family: Synathidae
Genus: Hippocampus
Species: Hippocampus erectus
Common Name: Lined Seahorse
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Sygnathiformes
Family: Synathidae
Genus: Hippocampus
Species: Hippocampus erectus
Common Name: Lined Seahorse