Shortfin mako shark:
A young shortfin mako shark species has been tagged for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea by researchers from the United States of America.
- Shortfin mako shark is a large predatory and highly migratory shark species that lives in the open ocean.
- The shortfin mako’s common name is derived from the Maori term mako, which translated means “shark”.
- It is known for its incredible leaping ability and can be observed jumping to extreme heights (out of the water) when hunting.
- It is hydrodynamically efficient with a pointed snout, triangular dorsal fin with a large and a crescent-shaped caudal (tail) fin.
- It is a yolk-sac ovoviviparous shark giving birth to live young. Developing embryos feed on unfertilized eggs (oophagy) within the uterus during the 15- to 18-month gestation period.
- It feeds mainly upon cephalopods and bony fish including mackerels and tunas.
- It is found across all temperate and tropical ocean waters.
- It can also be found near the coast where the continental shelf is short.
- Conservation status
- IUCN: Critically endangered
- CITES: Appendix II
