Shortfin Mako Shark: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Shark Week · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. The shortfin mako is the fastest known shark. It can reach about 50 km/h, with bursts of up to 74 km/h.
2. Hooked makos are famous for huge leaps out of the water. A few have even jumped into boats.
3. A heat-exchange blood system keeps a mako 4 to 5.5 °C warmer than the water, so it can stay very active.
4. One shortfin mako covered 2,128 km in just 37 days, about 58 km each day.
5. A mako eats roughly three percent of its own mass every day, and needs only one and a half to two days to digest a meal.

The quiz

1. What is the shortfin mako's burst speed?

• 74 km/h (correct)
• 7 km/h
• 24 km/h
• 140 km/h

Makos reach bursts of 74 km/h.

2. What do makos do when they are hooked?

• Dive to the bottom
• Play dead
• Leap high into the air (correct)
• Spin in circles underwater

Hooked makos are known for leaping high out of the water.

3. How much warmer than the water can a mako be?

• 0.4 to 0.55 °C
• 4 to 5.5 °C (correct)
• 14 to 15.5 °C
• 40 to 55 °C

Its blood system keeps it 4 to 5.5 °C warmer than the water.

4. How far did one mako travel in just 37 days?

• 28 km
• 212 km
• 12,800 km
• 2,128 km (correct)

One mako covered 2,128 km in 37 days.

5. How long does a mako need to digest a meal?

• One and a half to two days (correct)
• Three to four days
• About a week
• A few hours

A mako needs only one and a half to two days to break down food.

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