Facts about Shortfin Mako

1. 08

   Shortfin makos can live approximately 28 to 35 years in the wild, making them one of the longer-lived shark species.

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2. 07

   At birth, shortfin mako pups measure approximately 16 to 18 inches long and are immediately independent hunters in the open ocean.

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3. 06

   Makos produce live young through oophagy, where developing embryos consume unfertilized eggs and siblings within the womb, resulting in typically only two pups per litter.

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4. 05

   Courtship in makos involves males biting females on the back and fins, a violent mating behavior observed in few other shark species.

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5. 04

   Shortfin makos possess a specialized heat-exchange system called a rete mirabile that keeps their brain and muscles 7-14 degrees Celsius warmer than surrounding seawater.

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6. 03

   In 2008, researchers tracked a female shortfin mako traveling over 1,300 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in just 37 days.

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7. 02

   The shortfin mako's liver comprises approximately 25 percent of its body weight, providing buoyancy and energy reserves for long-distance oceanic migrations.

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8. 01

   Speeds exceeding 60 miles per hour make the shortfin mako the fastest shark species in the ocean.

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