MAKO SHARK

Isurus oxyrinchus (Rafinesque-Schmaltz 1810)

Usual Size	Up to 396cm
UK Record Weight	BOAT 500lb SHORE - Vacant 40lb Qualifying Weight
Identification	Upper body surface cobalt blue with a white underside. Has a single longitudinal keel on the side of the tail root
Habitat	Seldom found in waters below 16ºC, usually at least 18ºC. Found from the upper layers down to a possible maximum depth of 150m, though oceanic in nature.
Range	Found in most tropical and temperate waters and when encountered off our coast (South West - Cornwall) it is believed to be following warm water currents.
Food	Primarily pelagic fish, Tunas, Mackerels and Squid.
Reproduction	Ovoviviparous (live bearing) Litter size between 2/4 pups - 92cm at birth. It is believed female Mako Sharks are mature at a length of 240/280cm males at 240cm
Additional Notes	Weight potential in excess of 1000lbs, thought to be capable of speeds of 50 knots.
References	A Field Guide to The Sharks of British Coastal Waters - Vas 1991 FAO Species Catalogue 4 - Sharks of The World - Compagno Fishes of the North-Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean - Whitehead, Bauchot, Hureau, Nielsen, Tortonese Key to the Fishes of Northern Europe - Wheeler

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