How fast can a mako shark swim? As of November 2026, the shortfin mako is considered the fastest shark in the world. Scientists think it can swim faster than any other shark or ray. But few direct speed measurements have been reported. That makes a mako's top speed hard to state. What is known is that its tail does almost all the work of pushing it through the water.
A mako has an engine to match its tail. A mako must keep swimming to move water over its gills so it can breathe. It also keeps its body warmer than the water around it. A web of blood vessels holds in the heat.
What does a mako eat? It eats fish and squid. It hunts fast fish such as swordfish and tuna. A mako has large, sharp teeth, and its long teeth can be seen even when its mouth is closed. A mako is at the top of the ocean food chain.
How big is a mako? A big shortfin mako can grow to about 4 metres (13 feet) long. It can weigh about 150 kilograms (330 pounds). Female makos grow larger than males. A mako is a big animal, and females are the larger kind.
A mako pup grows inside its mother for 15 to 18 months before it is born. A litter can hold from 4 to 25 pups. A newborn pup is about 60 to 70 centimetres long. Shortfin makos are estimated to live about 29 to 32 years.
Where does a mako live? It lives in warm and mild waters around the world. It lives in the open ocean and sometimes near the coast. It is found from the surface down to about 500 metres (1,640 feet). Because a mako is a top predator, it is a vital part of ocean life.
Words to know
- predator: animal hunter
- litter: group of babies
- gills: breathing parts
- tail: back fin
The short version
How fast can a mako swim? As of November 2026, the shortfin mako is considered the fastest shark in the world. Scientists think it can swim faster than any other shark or ray, but few direct speed measurements have been reported, so its top speed is hard to state.
Quick facts
- A big shortfin mako can grow to about 4 metres (13 feet) long and weigh about 150 kilograms (330 pounds).
- A mako keeps its body warmer than the water around it, and its tail does almost all the work of pushing it through the water.
- A mako must keep swimming to move water over its gills so it can breathe.
- Shortfin makos are estimated to live about 29 to 32 years.
How fast can a mako shark swim?
As of November 2026, the shortfin mako is considered the fastest shark in the world. Scientists think it can swim faster than any other shark or ray, but few direct speed measurements have been reported. That makes a mako's top speed hard to state.
What does a mako eat?
A shortfin mako eats fish and squid. It hunts fast fish such as swordfish and tuna. It is at the top of the ocean food chain.
