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Mako Shark

What is mako shark?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Genus Isurus[2]
Species count Two[2]
Species names Shortfin mako shark; longfin mako shark[2]
Family Lamnidae[2]
Shortfin mako scientific name Isurus oxyrinchus[3]
Longfin mako scientific name Isurus paucus[1]

A mako shark is a swift, active shark in the genus *Isurus*, with two species: the shortfin mako and the longfin mako. They are predatory mackerel sharks found in tropical and temperate seas, and the shortfin is considered the fastest shark in the world.

Context

Mako sharks belong to the genus *Isurus* and include two species: the shortfin mako and the longfin mako [2]. They are swift, active, potentially dangerous sharks in the mackerel shark family Lamnidae [2]. Mako sharks are found in tropical and temperate seas [2]. The shortfin mako shark is described as the fastest shark in the world [3]. They prey on fishes such as herring, mackerel, and swordfish, and on small cetaceans [2]. Both species are listed as endangered by the IUCN [1].

Documented claims

  • Mako sharks are predatory mackerel sharks. [2]
  • Mako sharks are found in tropical and temperate seas. [2]
  • The shortfin mako shark is the fastest shark in the world. [3]
  • Mako sharks prey on fishes such as herring, mackerel, and swordfish, and on small cetaceans. [2]
  • Both species are listed as endangered by the IUCN. [1]

Related

Questions and answers

Are mako sharks aggressive to humans?

Mako sharks are described as potentially dangerous, but specific aggression data is not provided in the sources [2].

What is the #1 deadliest shark?

The sources do not rank sharks by deadliness, but they note that mako sharks are swift and active predators [2].

Can you swim with mako sharks?

The sources do not address swimming with mako sharks, but they are considered potentially dangerous [2].

Sources

  1. Pacific Shortfin Mako Shark — fisheries.noaa.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Top Ten Mako Shark Facts — originaldiving.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. 9 Facts to Get to Know the Mako Shark | Whaler's Locker — whalerslocker.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Things