This is a fairly large shark that belongs to the herring family. Otherwise, it is called bonito, black-nosed, mackerel, and also blue-gray shark. In Latin - Isurus oxyrinchus. Scientists believe that it is a descendant of the ancient species Isurus hastilus, whose representatives reached six meters in length and weighed about three tons. This type of shark existed in the Cretaceous at the same time as plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs.
Mako is considered dangerous to humans, as it is one of the most aggressive types of sharks. She misses almost no prey and attacks, even when full. The jaws of a Mako shark are a deadly weapon, the fish itself develops tremendous speed, and therefore is considered one of the most dangerous marine predators.
There are two types of mako shark - short-fin and long-fin. Both are equally dangerous to humans. Fish are almost identical, differing only in the size of the fins. The mako shark sometimes reaches four meters in length and weighs up to 400-500 kilograms. Females are larger than males, the largest specimen was caught by French fishermen in 1973. He weighed about a ton and was four and a half meters long. The exact life expectancy is unknown, scientists suggest that it reaches 15-25 years.
The body of the shark has a cylindrical shape. The belly is white, the skin is dark blue on top. The older the mako shark, the darker the color. Muzzle pointed, slightly elongated forward. The lower part is also white. Young individuals can be distinguished by a pronounced black spot at the end of the muzzle, which disappears with age. Mako eyes are large. Dorsal fin in front of a large, small behind. The pectoral fins are of medium size, while the caudal fins resemble a crescent with their shape. The teeth are curved back and very sharp. Such a structure of the jaws tenaciously holds prey.
Mako reproduction
Shark refers to the viviparous species of fish. Sexual maturity in females begins when their body grows to 2.7 m, in males this is an indicator of 1.9 m. Pregnancy lasts 15 months, embryos in the uterus feed on unfertilized eggs. Up to 18 fry are born, reaching a length of about 70 cm. Cubs already exist independently after birth. The interval between mating is 1.5-2 years.
Habitat
The shark lives in the waters of tropical and temperate seas. The main areas of its distribution:
- Indo-Pacific,
- Pacific (Northeast),
- Atlantic.
The distribution area is extensive: the southern border is located near New Zealand and Argentina, the northern border is in the region of Nova Scotia. Mako is rarely found in waters whose temperature is below 16 degrees, and then you can only see it in places where its favorite food lives - swordfish. This shark swims at a depth of 150 m and tries to keep closer to the surface.
The maximum speed of the mako shark when attacking
Torpedo shape of the body contributes to the swiftness of this fish. The speed of a mako shark when attacking prey reaches 60 km / h. The fish can jump up to six meters above the surface of the water. These qualities prove the fact that one of the most dangerous predators in the deep sea is the mako shark. It develops its speed thanks to the shape of the body and a good circulatory system. Unlike other sharks, the mako muscles are pierced with a large number of capillaries and are constantly heated by blood circulation. Therefore, they can quickly contract and contribute to a high speed set.
This feature of the shark quickly depletes its energy reserves, so the fish is very voracious and constantly in need of high-calorie food. Mako is interested in everything he sees in his path, be it a living organism or an inanimate object. In 90% of 100 cases, she tries to taste everything she sees. However, this applies more to fish than to people.
Attack on man
The mako shark itself is considered potentially dangerous. In most cases, this fish does not perceive humans as food, but there are exceptions. A mako shark attack on a person sometimes happens. But most often the person is to blame for this. Over the past few decades, 42 attacks were officially recorded, eight of them ended in death. In most cases, the shark attacked the fishermen who tried to catch it. Sometimes she attacked boats. In the latter situation, the people themselves, who fished in front of the shark’s nose, are also to blame, thus provoking it to attack.
Nutrition and behavior
Mako eats mainly large fish: mackerel, tuna, etc. Its favorite food is swordfish, which can reach three meters in length and weigh up to 600 kilograms. That is, their dimensions are almost identical. A swordfish clashes with a shark, but almost never wins, as the mako is very energetic and strong.
The predator prefers to attack from below and bites the prey in the area of the caudal fin. This is where the end of the spine and the main joints are located. Thus, the Mako shark, the photo of which can be seen in this article, paralyzes its victim and makes it helpless. About 70% of the food of the predator is tuna, but it does not disdain dolphins and its other brethren, which are smaller in size. A curious fact: the tuna is able to reach speeds of up to 70 km / h, but the shark is catching up with its lightning start. Mako accelerates to 60 km / h in just 2 seconds.
Enemies and friends
This predator has few friends. Mark can be fish-cleaners, stuck and pilots. The first helps all predators to get rid of various parasites that attach to the fins and feed on skin secretions. As for the enemies, they have practically no mako. The shark tries to avoid only the larger of its brethren and schooling fish. For example, if a dolphin itself can become its prey, then their flock is able to drive the predator away from its habitat.
Intentional catching of this fish is not conducted, sometimes it comes across the net itself, chasing prey. However, it can be noted tasty mako meat. This shark, like all herring species, is good for food. But of particular value are some internal organs and fins. The liver of this predator is a delicacy.
Although mako is not commercial fish, it is of interest to the so-called “hunter-athletes”. Predator to the last is fighting for his life, which brings a lot of emotions to people trying to catch it. Such a "sport" is deadly.
A case was noted when the mako shark approached very close to the beach, and was shot from a harpoon gun. The fish cleared the arrow with lightning speed and rushed to the attack. She jumped right onto the sand and tried to grab the person who shot her. He was lucky that everything worked out.
The most terrible tragedy in which the mako shark participated, the photo of which can be seen in this article, occurred near the Australian coast in the middle of the 20th century. Four fishermen peacefully fished while in the big boat. Suddenly, a mako pack attacked them. People tried to swim to the shore, but one predator rammed the side of the boat through and the fishermen found themselves in the water. Only one was able to safely get to the land, the rest tore up and ate bloodthirsty mako.
There were a lot of controversies on this issue, and there were many versions explaining the behavior of sharks. Most were inclined to believe that people still provoked the attack themselves because they caught fish in front of the feeding predators, which caused their irritation and aggression.
10. Shark-Mako
This is not only one of the largest, but also one of the most aggressive sharks. They show character already in the womb - embryos are actively fighting for the right to live. Natural selection does its work, and the most dangerous individuals are born.
The length of the mako is up to 3.5 m. The largest specimen surprised fishermen with a size of 4.5 m. Like the famous white shark, the mako can be dangerous to humans. With white, this makes even appearance. But in most cases, attacks on people are caused by the invasion of the latter into the "sphere of influence" of the mako. Although there are also troubles caused by excessive aggression of the white-like species.
Among other things, the mako is very agile and quick. The maximum speed of movement of the overall shark is 70 km / h. Aerodynamic aquatic inhabitant of the herring family is able to jump out of the water to a height of six meters.
9. Six gum shark
The maximum length, officially confirmed - 5.4 m. This makes the six-haber party to this rating. But the size of ordinary members of the species is more modest - within 3-4 meters.
For the person of danger does not represent. But the touches of divers do not like and even can not stand. In such situations, she simply rushes to the depth. And she can rush - her ability allows a shark with six gills to descend to a depth of 2.5 km.
Usually one of the largest The sharks are rather slow and clumsy. But, attacking, it changes - it becomes sharp and fast.
8. Big Pelagic Shark
Next - a big-eyed shark, resembling the "face" of space pirates without disguise from the children's series "Guest from the Future." These beauties (sharks, in the sense of) are poorly understood, and were discovered relatively recently - in the seventies. Currently only 60 deep-water bolsherotikov have been discovered. The most dimensional of them shark reaches a length of 5.7 m.
7. Fox Shark
The sea fox got into the rating thanks to a huge tail fin. Together with him, the predator reaches a length of about 6 m. But since the tail cannot be thrown out of the body, the sly shark representative wisely occupies a high position.
Despite the predatory temper, this species is not dangerous for humans. The king of nature in fear of fox sharks causes fear, and the “tailing” cartilaginous small fish attacks only the smaller marine colleagues.
The long tail of the shark is used as a whip. They stun their prey. In English, they have a special, additional, name - thresher shark.
Huge sea fox is able to completely jump out of the water. These are fast and powerful predators.
6. Hammerhead Shark
This shark is impressive not so much in size as in "design." The hammer-shaped snout does not make the fish a written beauty, but definitely elevates to the rank of the most original sea creatures.
The average dimensions of the "hammers" - 3 meters. But the maximum length, which is fixed officially - 6.1 m. This is a potentially aggressive and dangerous fish, and it is better to stay away from it. But statistics say that hammerheads are not often interested in people. Who to trust - statistics or probabilities - is decided by divers.
5. Tiger shark
Photos of the biggest sharks necessarily include images of tiger species. The average size of sea tigress is 5 m. There is every reason to assume that the oceans are full of tiger sharks of at least 7 meters in size.
Gigantic A tigress needs to be wary - this is not only a very large, but also a fairly aggressive shark. Human remains are often found in the stomachs of these fish. In some countries, tiger sharks are so numerous that in order to ensure the safety of people they are shot.
4. Great White Shark
Most a well-known species, which causes at least mixed emotions in any normal person. The man-eater shark is known for aggressiveness, powerful jaws and a huge number of human victims. White shark - the greatest an actress who appeared in films a huge number of times.
The biggest white shark (of those that were caught) was 7.9 m long. There is information that the oceans plow and larger specimens - up to 12-13 m. But the average size of the predators is 4-5 m. The average weight is 0.6-1, 2 t.
Despite its popularity and reputation, this species belongs to the endangered ones - according to ichthyologists, there are about 3.5 thousand carcharodon-killers left in the world.
1. Whale Shark
Largest shark on the planet - whale shark. Average length - 12-15 m, but not uncommon and more impressive dimensions - 18-20 m. Weight of himself overall size - 36 tons
In order to satisfy hunger, the whale "medium size" requires at least 200 kg of plankton. That the very shark in the world eats small things, almost any schoolchild probably knows.
Which one hit compilation without surprises? Have of manyPerhaps there was a question - where is another kind here, if we have already decided on the first position? In fact, the whale fish is really the most overall. But - in modern realities. Among the extinct species leads another fish.
Shark Megalodon - The undoubted record holder of those, far, times and species. Unfortunately, on video is the biggest shark missed - fossil fish disappeared long before the development of our technologies. According to scientific estimates, the size of mega-fish was between 12-18 m. the biggest shark in the world is megalodon It was heavier than the modern whale - about 50 tons. Due to its size, the shark even fed on its own kind, but smaller, species.
Is it possible to see mako in captivity?
For many years people tried to tame the mako shark, to populate this species for the economy in the pools. Many times they tried to settle the mako in the oceanariums, where the environment was close to the natural one. But all these attempts were unsuccessful. The longest life in a mako shark aquarium is five days spent in New Jersey. They brought the animal there completely healthy. The shark began to beat against the walls, refused to eat. Subsequently weakened and died. A live mako shark can be seen off the coast of South Africa and the Maldives. Ecotourism is thriving here - diving under the water where sharks swim.
