Page 12 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Sharks & Ocean Predators
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Mako shark

The fastest shark in the sea

These sharks live out in the open ocean and hold
two shark speed records. Not only have they been
clocked at 32 kilometres (20 miles) per hour, but they
also swim long distances at great speeds. Tagged
sharks have been known to travel 2,130 kilometres
(1,320 miles) in just 37 days, averaging almost 60
kilometres (40 miles) per day.
Mako sharks can raise the temperature of
their muscles to get them working faster. They
also have a high metabolism that keeps them
moving at all times of the day.

Feeding on speedy fish like tuna has helped the

mako develop its super speed. Bony fish make up
around 90 per cent of a mako shark’s diet and the
other ten per cent is a variety of foods, from squid
to dolphins. Mako sharks are apex predators, which
means they are at the top of their food chain. Without
the threat from bigger carnivores, these sharks can
focus all their attention and energy on hunting.
Deep-water sharks are not usually a threat to
humans, but the mako has been responsible for
several attacks. Their speed, aggression and power
make them one of the deadliest sharks on the planet.

Mako sharks have evolved to swim at incredible speeds,
What’s the rush? partially to keep up with their fast-swimming prey

Tail Muscle Streamlining
The asymmetrical tail is surrounded by muscle, Most sharks have muscles along their sides, The torpedo-like shape slices through the water
making it a powerful engine that forces the but mako shark muscles are closer to the spine. at break-neck speed. Their ridged skin cells
shark forward. The shape makes the animal This gives them greater control over their tail, help reduce water resistance and their fins keep

manoeuvrable and helps it change direction. helping them launch out of the water. them from rolling or spinning while swimming.
Lemon shark

The shark with the

sharpest teeth

Built to hunt, lemon sharks have several different strategies
for catching prey. Swimming along the seabed, they disturb

the sand to uncover buried fish before appearing from a
swirling cloud of sediment in the ultimate surprise. Lemon sharks
also ram feed, which involves lunging out of the water to snatch
floating sea birds.

Masters of the sea surface and the sand, lemon sharks have well-
developed jaws to ensure prey has no chance of escape. Its jaws
are controlled by a complex series of ligaments and muscles that
control its stability. Surrounding joints prevent the jaws moving
from side to side when the shark shakes its head vigorously with
prey between its teeth. The jaw muscles are divided into four to
act as a shock absorber when the mouth snaps shut and the split
muscle helps deliver a greater force than one large block.
The shape of the lemon shark’s teeth are the real danger and
rather than being triangular, the teeth are long and pointed like
miniature daggers. The pin-sharp tip of each tooth has a very small Lemon
shark tooth
surface area, giving the teeth extreme pressure to pierce the skin.
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