Mako sharks are the fastest sharks in the ocean — even faster than the famous great white shark. Also known as bonito sharks or blue pointers, makos are often called the cheetahs of the sea. However, their speed is one reason why these sharks are sought after by anglers all over the world. But how big is the largest mako shark ever caught? Keep reading to learn more about mako sharks, and discover the largest mako shark ever recorded.
Getting to Know the Mako Shark
Shortfin mako sharks have a top speed of 46mph.
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Mako sharks have streamlined, narrow bodies with pointed noses and large eyes. Their tails are incredibly powerful and propel them through the water as they chase some of the fastest fish in the ocean. There are two mako shark species: the shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) and the longfin mako (Isurus paucus). The shortfin mako has shorter pectoral fins than the longfin. The longfin mako also has larger eyes, and the underside of its snout is dark-colored.
Shortfin mako sharks are some of the fastest predators in our oceans today. The shortfin mako can travel at speeds of 31mph and reach 46mph in short bursts. Both shark species live in tropical and temperate waters around the world. However, the longfin mako is less active and tends to inhabit deeper, slower-moving waters.
Mako Behavior
The mako shark uses its speed and powerful bite force to catch prey.
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Mako sharks have many rows of narrow, needle-like teeth designed for holding onto slippery fish. Both species eat fish such as mackerel, tuna, and swordfish, in addition to cephalopods like squid and octopus. Shortfin makos have also been recorded eating seabirds, sea turtles, other sharks, and even porpoises. Shortfin mako sharks also have some of the strongest measured bite forces of any shark at 3,000PSI.
Makos almost never stay in one place. Both mako species they spend their lives migrating along coasts, to the open ocean, and back near shore. Shortfins in particular follow big game fish and can often be seen fully breaching the water’s surface as they hunt.
Mako sharks rarely attack humans. There have only been 10 recorded instances of unprovoked attacks on humans by mako sharks, just one of which resulted in a fatality. So, your chances of having a negative interaction with a mako shark are low.
How Big Do Mako Sharks Get?
The largest mako shark weighed 1,221 pounds.
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The longfin mako is the longer of the two species, but the shortfin mako is often heavier. Longfin mako shark pups may be nearly 4 feet long at birth, while shortfin pups are around 2 feet long. Both longfin and shortfin males can grow to about 9 feet long.
However, mako sharks are sexually dimorphic, with females being larger. Longfin females may measure over 14 feet, while shortfin makos typically measure closer to 13 feet. Longfin makos weigh up to 440 pounds. Average shortfin makos weigh up to around 350 pounds, but some very large individuals have been documented at over 1,000 pounds.
The Largest Mako Ever Recorded
Like many species of shark, mako sharks are slow to reproduce.
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According to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), which keeps records of the largest landed fish in the world, the largest mako shark ever recorded was caught in 2001. It was hauled in off the coast of Chatham, Massachusetts by angler Luke Sweeney. The shark, a shortfin female, weighed 1,221 pounds and is estimated to have measured more than 11 feet long.
However, the Massachusetts mako isn’t the only large mako shark ever landed off the coast of the United States. Let’s take a look at another giant mako that, for policy reasons, cannot be included in the IGFA’s world record list.
The Largest (Unofficial) Mako Ever Recorded
In 2013, a California fisherman landed a shortfin mako shark even bigger than the largest mako ever officially recorded. The California mako weighed 1,323 pounds and measured 12 feet long. By weight, it is likely the heaviest mako ever recorded. However, because the fishing rod was handled by multiple people, it cannot officially be counted by the IGFA as the largest mako ever recorded. Still, the legend of this giant mako lives on.
Are Mako Sharks Endangered?
Both shortfin and longfin mako sharks have been classified by the IUCN as Endangered. Because of their slow rate of reproduction and maturation, mako sharks are uniquely vulnerable to extinction. Like many species of sharks, their population has dipped in recent decades due to overfishing, death from bycatch, pollution, and the demand for shark fin soup.
