Shortfin Mako Shark

Isurus oxyrinchus

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Elasmobranchii
Order: Lamniformes
Family: Lamnidae
Genus: Isurus
Species: Isurus oxyrinchus

The shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) is a streamlined oceanic shark with a sharply pointed snout, large black eyes, a crescent-shaped tail and a brilliant metallic-blue back over a white belly. It reaches about 4 m.

It is considered the fastest shark, capable of bursts of speed that let it catch tuna, swordfish and other fast pelagic fish, and it is known for spectacular leaps. Heavy fishing pressure has led to it being listed as Endangered.

In the Philippines shortfin makos occur in deep offshore waters and are rarely seen by divers. Most records come from longline fisheries far from the coast.

Photo: Fábio Olmos, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist