Pablo By: Gabriela Joa

WHO IS HE? Immature male Shortfin Mako shark (Isurus Oxyrinchus) Current weight undefined 5.25 feet long Tagged in 2014 Named after Pablo Neruda Pablo is an immature male Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus Oxyrinchus). His current weight is undefined and he is 5.25 feet long. He was tagged in 2014. Pablo was also named after Pablo Neruda, the Chilean poet-diplomat and politician who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1971.

WHAT IS A MAKO SHARK Mako meaning shark/ shark tooth Longfin Mako Shortfin Mako Shortfin Mako Mako” comes from the Maori language meaning shark or a shark tooth. There are currently two remaining species called the Longfin Mako and the Shortfin Mako. Longfin Mako

LOCATION Like warm and temperate waters 50 degrees north and 50 degrees south Australia and New Zealand Live 500 meter in depth Rarely 200 meters down Shortfin Mako sharks live in warm and temperate waters between 50 degrees north and 50 degrees south. They can also be found near Australia and New Zealand. And although Shortfin Mako sharks live out in the open ocean in deep waters down to 500 meters in depth, they are rarely seen in deeper waters than 200 meters.

GROWTH Fairly large species Grow up to 10-15 feet Weigh up to 130-2,00 lbs. Females are larger than males The Shortfin Mako is a fairly large species of shark. An average adult measures around 10 feet and weighs up to 132-298 lbs. With females being larger than males, they exceed a length of 12 feet and a weight of 1,260 lbs.

DIET Consists of: Swordfish Sea turtles Tuna Seabirds Do not attack humans unless they do anything to harm it The Shortfin Mako’s diet mostly consists of swordfish, sea turtles, tuna, and seabirds. When the shark goes to attack its prey, it can reach a speed of 45 mph from below it that way the shark crushes its prey. Makos do NOT attack human nor treat them as prey.

LIFESPAN Maximum age of 29 years in males Maximum age of 32 years in females 50% sexual maturity at 8 years in males 50% sexual maturity at 18 years in females The lifespan and sexual maturity varies between males and females. Males can live up to be 29 years old while females can be 32 and the sexual maturity starts a 8 years old in males and 18 for females.

MATING When a female Mako is ready to mate: Pregnant for 15-18 months Give birth in late winter or summer Give birth to 10-18 baby sharks Cannot be pregnant for another year Bear young on average every three years When a female Shortfin Mako shark is sexually mature and begin to mate, they become pregnant for 15 to 18 months and late in the winter or summer the sharks give birth to 10-18 young ones. When they have given birth, they cannot become pregnant for another year. Shortfins bear young on average every three years.

SPEED Fastest species Can swim 25-46 mph Can jump 30 feet high The Shortfin Mako is the fastest species of shark. It has been recorded at 25 mph with bursts up to 46 mph allowing them to jump as high as 30 feet.

INTELEGENCE Has one of the largest brains Able to determine whether humans are dangerous Do not rely on Electroception Does rely on vision, smell and hearing The Shortfin Mako has one of the largest brain: body ratios out of all the sharks that have been studied. Makos are fast also learning sharks, able to determine whether or the not the researchers were threatening. The sharks that were in the study showed unique behaviors such as “refusing to roll back their eyes during feeding and allowing themselves to briefly restrained and touched while being offered bait.” Unlike the Great White Shark, the Mako does not rely on electroreception, (the detection by an aquatic animal of electric fields or currents), instead it relies smell, hearing and vision.

FINS Fins are shorter than other sharks Second dorsal fin is shorter than the other Second dorsal fin The Shortfin Mako has the word “fin” for an obvious reason. Their fins are very short and the second dorsal (top) fin is considerably shorter than the other.

TEETH Bowl shaped Aligned in a continuous row Triangular Razor shaped smooth edges Visible when mouth is closed The Mako’s mouth is bowl shaped with the first teeth of the lower jaw aligned in a continuous row. The large teeth are usually triangular and have razor shape smooth edges. When it’s mouth is closed, the teeth of the lower jaw is still visible while the denticles are small and overlapping .

PHYSICAL FEATURES Depp purples Bright Indigo Blues Silver and white Large gill slits Eyes extremely developed The coloration of the Shortfin Mako is one their characteristics that sets them apart the most. The top of the shark changes from deep purples to bright indigo blues. The top is most likely to be silver while the bottom sides are white as well as the areas the snout and mouth. Others fascinating features are their large gill slits and their eyes that are extremely well developed.

HABITAT Does not swim in cold waters Spotted across the globe Prefer warm waters Found in Pacific Ocean US to Chile Shortfin Makos can go anywhere they want to. Not including extremely cold waters, these sharks have been spotted all across the globe. Because of their rapid speed and preferring warm waters, they are often found in the Pacific Ocean. “They have been seen everywhere from the United States to Chile.”

IMPORTANCE TO HUMANS Greatest gamefishes Occur off Southern California, Northeastern United States, Australia, New Zealand Because of its jumping ability and aggressiveness, “the Shortfin Mako is considered one of the greatest gamefishes in the world. Most of the highest catches occur off Southern California, the Northeastern United States, Australia and New Zealand. Makos are special because their flesh is flavorful and limited quantities are found in the United States.

DANGER TO HUMANS Great speed, Teeth, Aggressiveness Damaging boats The Shortfin’s great speed, teeth and aggressiveness makes it a great danger to humans. They have been blamed for numerous nonfatal and fatal attacks. There have been reports of Makos damaging boats and injuring fishers after being hooked.

HUNTED Hunted for fins, Oil, Teeth Important for commercial fishing Population decreases Makos are most likely to be hunted for fins, oil, and teeth. They are also very important species for commercial fishing. This is causing their population to go down rapidly.

CONSERVATION Decreased caused by commercials 50% reduction US National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Due to the rapid depleting population of Shortfin Makos caused by commercials, the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) ordered a 50% reduction in allowed Shortfin Mako catches per year in order to make sure these wonderful animals do not become endangered.

CREDITS wikipedia.com Skarksider.com Floridamuseum.edu Dailymail.co.uk Extremesharkfacts.com Sharks-world.com

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