What is the fastest known shark species?

The fastest known shark species is the shortfin mako shark, Isurus oxyrinchus. Built for speed, it has a streamlined body, a powerful crescent-shaped tail, and a pointed snout that reduces resistance as it moves through open water.

Shortfin makos are members of the mackerel shark family, Lamnidae, which also includes great white sharks, porbeagles, and salmon sharks. Like those relatives, makos can retain heat in parts of their bodies through specialized blood-vessel arrangements. This helps their muscles and nervous system remain highly active in cool water.

The shortfin mako is commonly credited with burst speeds of about 74 kilometres per hour, although exact speed records are difficult to measure in the wild. It is also an energetic predator, hunting fast fish such as tuna and mackerel, along with squid and other prey.

A common mix-up is confusing the shortfin mako with the longfin mako. Both belong to the genus Isurus, but the shortfin species is the one recognized for the top speed record.