Shark GIF of the Day: Mako Shark
Two species of mako shark make a living in Earth's waters: the shortfin and the longfin, with the former being more common, while the latter's population has fallen. Unfortunately for the shortfin, it's the shark most eaten worldwide by humans, although in the United States they're usually an incidental catch in nets intended for swordfish and tuna.
The longfin mako, meanwhile, is off-limits to U.S. fishermen in the waters of the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, because it has become scarce.
Shortfin mako sharks have pointy snouts and very long gill slits. Their backs are a dark hue of blue or gray while their undersides are white. As you might guess, the longfin has longer pectoral fins than its shorter brother, and bigger eyes, too. Mako sharks like to migrate and will traverse entire oceans.
Makos range from about 9 to 15 feet in length and can weigh more than 1,500 pounds. Shortfins live for about 11 years and are highly active predators, with very few dangers to dodge themselves besides humans and other, larger, sharks.
Tune in to Discovery Channel every night during Shark Week, which begins on on August 10 at 8/7C.