Asian Diver – March 2018

Porpoise

Swordfish

Seabird Sea Turtle

Tuna Sailfish Squid

Shark

SNOUT, JAWS AND TEETH

The snout is sharp and bluntly pointed and the

shark has large black eyes. The teeth are large,

narrow and hook-shaped with razor sharp

smooth edges. Teeth of both the lower and upper

jaw are uniform in size, while the teeth of the

lower jaw remain visible and protrude from the

mouth even when the jaw is shut

DIET
Mako sharks feed on other fast-moving
pelagic fish such as swordfish, tunas,
sailfish and other sharks and squid. They
may also eat porpoises, sea turtles, and
seabirds. Despite being a top predator,
makos risk physical harm when attacking
some of their prey. Mature makos often
sport scars and wounds from previous
encounters with swordfish and
other sharks

HABITAT

A pelagic species that is normally

found far offshore, it can occasionally be

found closer to land around islands and

inlets. It is usually seen at the surface but

have been recorded as deep as

740 metres, but rarely found in water

below 16 degrees centigrade

TOURISM

The mako is a highly sought-after species,

especially for underwater photographers

and videographers, but encounters with this

shark are rare and often short-lived. The

best locations to look for them are South

Africa, Rhode Island, Baja Mexico, San

Diego California and sometimes the Azores.

Their range and distribution are similar

to the blue shark and both sharks can

sometimes be seen during the same dive

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

This species has a worldwide distribution

in both tropical and temperate oceans.

Western Atlantic: Gulf of Maine to

southern Brazil and Argentina including

the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean

Eastern Atlantic: Norway to South Africa,

including the Mediterranean

Indo–Pacific: East Africa to Hawaii, north

to Primorskiy Kray (Russia), south to

Australia and New Zealand.

Eastern Pacific: South of Aleutian

Islands and from southern California,

USA to Chile

Area of distribution

Pacific Ocean

Atlantic Ocean