Page 84 - (DK) Super Shark Encyclopedia: And Other Creatures of the Deep

BUILT FOR SUPER-FAST SWIMMER
The shortfin mako has the
perfect shape for speed—its
SPEED pointed snout and cylindrical
body help it cut cleanly through
the water. Its big, half-moon-
shaped tail provides the power
for rapid bursts of speed.
SHORTFIN MAKO

Meet the champion swimmer of the shark world.
The shortfin mako is the fastest shark over long distances
and is perfectly capable of catching fast-swimming prey,
such as tuna and swordfish. When it’s in mid-chase it can
make sharp turns in the water, too. All this frantic activity
generates a lot of heat in its muscles. Much of this heat is
trapped within the body, so the shark is effectively warm-
blooded. The shortfin mako lives in the open ocean, but
it migrates to tropical waters during the winter months
to help keep its body warm.

AT A GLANCE

• SIZE 10½–13 ft (3.2–4 m) • LOCATION Worldwide near
• HABITAT Warm and tropical coastlines
coastal ocean waters, mainly • DIET Mainly fish and squid, but
deep water sometimes sea turtles and dolphins

STATS AND FACTS

SPEED 32
0.8–1.7 mph (1.3–2.8 km/h) cruising speed
YEARS
mph 15 30 45
MAX. LIFESPAN
km/h 25 50 75
46 mph (74 km/h) in max. burst
DISTANCE TRAVELED 2,130 miles/3,430 km
(max. migration)
miles 500 1,000 1,500 2,000
2
TIME TO DIGEST MEAL
km 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000
36 miles/58 km (average per day)

DAYS
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