The shortfin mako shark also know as the blue pointer or bonito shark is a large mackerel shark of the genus isurus. The word "Mako" comes from the Māori language, meaning sharp tooth. The shortfin mako inhabits offshore temperate and tropical seas worldwide typically far from mainland coasts, it is a pelagic species which regularly dives to depths of 500ft. They are warm blooded endothermic predators and the fastest sharks alive today capable of reaching up to 45 mph in there pursuit of prey such as cephalopods, mackerels, tunas, bonitos, swordfish, other sharks, porpoises, sea turtles, sea birds, and dolphins. The shortfin mako is a sexually dimorphic species with males averaging around 8.5-10.5ft (2.5- 3.2m) in length and 130- 310lbs (60 -140kg) in weight while mature females reach upwards of 12ft (3.8m) and 1,200lbs (550kg). They sport a cylindrical shaped body with a vertically elongated tail. They exhibit countershading, with brilliant metallic blue coloration dorsally and white ventrally. The line of demarcation between blue and white on the body is distinct. The underside of the snout and the area around the mouth are white. The juvenile mako differs in that it has a clear blackish stain on the tip of the snout. They are a polyandrous, ovoviviparous species with mothers giving birth to 4 to 18 live pups after a 15-18 month gestation. Males reach sexual maturity sooner at around 7-9 years compared to females at 19-21. Under ideal conditions a shortfin mako shark may live upwards of 30 years.
