Watch a Mako Shark Launch Out of the Water and Get Stuck on a Boat’s Bow

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Known for their incredible speed, mako sharks are formidable predators in the open ocean. They are incredibly unique hunters, having an extremely sleek body while still packing a nasty bite. Their speed and aggression can cause them to get into some interesting situations. For instance, take a look at the video below, which shows a mako shark stuck on the bow of a boat, vigorously attempting to free itself. 

The shark can be seen at the very bow of a large boat, likely a recreational or fishing boat. People in the boat begin to show worry for the shark, wanting to help it out but still afraid of it hurting them. The shark is pinned between the railing of the bow. Its head is sticking out of the bow, while its pectoral fin is stuck behind a bar. 

The shark continues to shake and wriggle with power in an attempt to free itself, but nothing seems to work. In an act of desperation, it even begins to bite at the bar which is holding its fin back! Unfortunately, the clip ends with the shark still stuck on the boat, unsure whether it will be able to free itself. 

Long-fin vs. Shortfin Makos 

When most people refer to mako sharks, they often just say “mako,” but there are two types: the long-fin and the shortfin. Although they are fairly similar, the two types do have some distinct and important differences! 

Long-fin Makos 

Long-fin mako sharks are the less popular relative of the shortfin mako shark. They are fairly large and can grow up to 14 feet long. Females of this species tend to grow longer and larger than males. 

They have an extremely streamlined body with an incredibly pointed snout. Notably, long-fin makos tend to have darker coloration under their snouts as compared to shortfin mako sharks. Additionally, long-fins have distinctively long pectoral fins that extend from the sides of their body. Lastly, long-fin makos (as well as shortfin makos) have extremely large eyes, which are unique to their lineage of sharks! 

Shortfin Makos 

In contrast, shortfin mako sharks have shorter fins as compared to long-fin makos. Most sources also agree that they are slow-growing, and reach top lengths of around 13 feet. 

Shortfin makos also have long gill slits, which can make them easier to distinguish from other types of sharks. 

How Fast Are Mako Sharks? 

Most data that has been recorded on mako shark speed relates to shortfins, although most scholars believe that both species should have relatively similar top speeds. 

They are reported to have a “sprinting” top speed of around 46 mph, although they can only sustain around 30-35 mph speeds for longer periods. 

Is it Normal for Sharks to Jump?

Mako sharks are the fastest sharks in the ocean, capable of reaching speeds of up to 45 miles per hour. In particular, the shortfin mako is the fastest shark and one of the fastest fish on the planet. They are also known to breach, or jump, out of the water and have the potential to jump at least 20 to 30 feet in the air. While they may breach when hunting, they are also noted for jumping when being hooked by a fisherman and have landed on their boats fairly often. The shark may not be intending to land on the boat but in their frenzied aerial display of leaps and turns, they don’t know where they will land. This behavior is common and is one of the things fishermen are warned about.