Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)

The shortfin mako cuts through open ocean like a blade of light — fast, precise, and endlessly in motion. Every turn and flicker speaks of speed; every glide reveals an ocean built for momentum. Among sharks, it is both athlete and enigma.

Scientific Snapshot

A shortfin mako shark slicing through deep blue water, its sleek body and sharp profile reflecting the strength of the open sea.

Scientific Name: Isurus oxyrinchus

Common Names: Shortfin mako shark, blue pointer

Average Size: Typically 3.2 meters (10.5 feet); some individuals exceed 4 meters (13 feet)

Habitat: Open ocean and offshore waters in temperate and tropical seas

Diet: Pelagic fish such as tuna and mackerel, and occasionally smaller sharks

Conservation Status: Endangered (IUCN Red List)

Range: Worldwide in offshore tropical and temperate waters

From the Field

The story…