Longfin Mako Shark

Longfin mako sharks are a type of predatory shark that researchers often mistake for their better-known close relative, the shortfin mako shark. Because of this, there is far less documentation on this specific species. They received their name for their abnormally long pectoral fins, and are also commonly referred to as sharp-nosed mackerel sharks or blue pointers.

Longfin Mako Shark Appearance

Longfin mako sharks are a very large shark species that can range in length from 8.2 feet to 13 feet when they reach adulthood, with some reaching a massive 14 feet. They also weigh from 150-440 lbs, with females growing slightly larger than males. 

They have long, slender bodies and a greyish-blue coloring similar to many shark species. Some longfin mako sharks can be darker blue, but all have a white underside. They have pointed snouts with sharp, long teeth. The most distinct feature of longfin mako sharks is their long pectoral fins that can be longer than their head. These fins allow them to maneuver quickly and swim up to 35 miles per hour. 

Mako sharks, including the longfin, possess specialized blood vessels called “countercurrent exchangers” that regulate their body temperature, keeping them warmer than the water they swim in. This trait sets them apart as warm-bodied fish and is thought to help them swim faster and hunt more effectively.

Distribution and Habitat

These sharks are migratory and have long annual migrations seeking better waters that suit their ideal temperature and provide better food sources. Some coastal areas where you can find the longfin mako shark inhabiting the salty seas include:

• Florida
• New England
• Texas
• The Gulf of Mexico
• South Africa
• Europe
• South America
• Canada

The typical habitat of a longfin mako shark ranges between temperate, tropical, and subtropical oceans. In daylight hours, these sharks prefer deeper waters ranging between 300 and 700 feet below the surface. They swim in shallower waters at night where temperatures range from 70-75°F.

Predators and Prey

Longfin mako sharks are natural apex predators, and the only natural predators they face are orca whales, who hunt in pods, and some larger shark species. The bigger threat to longfin mako sharks is humans, who have caused the population’s numbers to decline through sport fishing, commercial fishing, or accidentally catching these sharks in nets. 

These sharks feed on bony fish like mackerel, swordfish, bonito, and tuna. Depending on their migratory location, they also occasionally prey on other sharks, sea birds, turtles, and porpoises. They have very fast metabolisms and eat around 4.5 pounds of fish per day, requiring 3% of their body weight in food to survive.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Longfin mako sharks are ovoviviparous, which means they can only mate through internal fertilization between a male and female shark of the same species. The gestation period for a female longfin mako shark is between 15 and 18 months, after which she gives birth to 4 to 18 live pups that do not connect with the mother shark through a placenta. Newborn pups typically measure only 28 inches in size. It is estimated that female longfin mako sharks only give birth every three years because the females have a resting period of nearly 2 years before they decide to mate again.

Male longfin mako sharks mature around the age of 8 years old and live to be around 29 years old, while females reach sexual maturity at 20 and live to age 32 on average. These sharks can live as long as 35 years in some cases, but threats they face from humans and predators often shorten their natural lives. 

Population and Conservation Status

Longfin mako sharks are considered to be endangered according to the IUCN because they are often captured by commercial fisheries, leading to a steady decline in their population size. Previously, this shark species was listed as threatened in 2007 and vulnerable in 2019.

There is little information on the exact population size of longfin mako sharks, but their endangered status makes them less common than many other shark species. There are estimated to be fewer longfin mako sharks inhabiting our oceans in comparison to their close relatives the shortfin mako shark.