You will always find sharks wandering in the ocean water in the search of food at a very normal speed. However, there are few species of sharks that are blessed with remarkable speed. One such species of shark also known as the speedy bullet of the ocean waters – is the Mako shark, especially the Shortfin Mako shark. These fascinating creatures are the fastest species of shark existing in the ocean.
The question here is how fast they are. What makes them the fastest species of the ocean? Let’s dive into the deep analysis and explore the unique anatomical features that the mako sharks had evolved and adapted to be the fastest species of shark.
How Fast Is Mako Shark?
Like all other fishes, Mako sharks roam at an average speed of 1.5 kph in the open water especially when they are not in the mood to feed. However, when they have to chase prey, these sharks swim at a speed of 50 kph (kilometer per hour) or 31 mph (miles per hour) with a burst of 74 kph or 46 mph.The Mako sharks are the power swimmers of the ocean and can travel about 60 or 80 miles daily.
What Makes Mako Sharks The Cheetah Of The Ocean?
Mako sharks are known as the Cheetah of the open waters as the sharks possess different features which allow them to swim with an extra burst of speed. Some are given below:
1: Cartilage
Like other fishes, sharks do not have bones instead their skeleton is made up of cartilage. The cartilaginous skeleton allows the sharks to swim with agility and fast speed. Moreover, it also provides the flexibility to make quick turns while swimming.
2: Torpedo Body
The Mako sharks have streamlined and torpedo body shapes which helps them to remove the friction exerted by the flow of water and makes them swim at a faster speed.
3: Dermal Denticles
The skin of Mako sharks is unique. It is covered with small flexible appendages called dermal denticles. The denticles are impregnated with crystalline minerals and help to reduce the resistance of the flowing water. Thus allowing the shark to swim with the extra burst of speed.
4: Fins
The small pectoral and large dorsal fins help the sharks to swim at extremely high speed throughout the extended ocean. The pectoral and pelvic fins also provide them stability. Furthermore, the long crescent-shaped caudal or tail fins also allow the sharks to swim at the high speed.
5: Endothermic Body
The Mako sharks are endothermic – which means that they do not regulate their body temperature with the changes in the external environment. They keep the body temperature slightly high as compared to the surrounding waters. This biological ability of sharks helps them to store a large amount of heat and thus they swim efficiently without wasting much energy.
Final Words
Mako sharks are known as the fastest species in the oceanic world. The Mako shark can swim at the speed of 74 kph or 46 mph. They have evolved many features which allow them to swim at the high speed. The cartilaginous skeleton, the fusiform body, dermal denticles, unique fins, and the endothermy are the unique adaptation that plays a key role and helps them to swim with an extra burst of speed.
