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UNDERWATER GUIDE TO MARINE LIFE 



Fig. 54. Mako shark. 



Fig. 55. White shark. 



boats. The young are few (one to five) and large at birth (20 pounds). This is 

 an excellent food fish. 



Similar Sfecies: The Pacific bonito shark or Pacific mako, Isiiriis glaucus, 

 may be identical to the Atlantic form. It is found from Monterey Bav to the 

 south and over the entire South Pacific. 



The porbeagles and mackerel sharks (Laiinza species) replace the makos 

 in the Atlantic and Pacific in water below 60° Fahrenheit. These are stouter 

 sharks than the makos and have the second dorsal and anal directly opposite 

 each other. The generic name Lamna, is derived from a Greek word depicting 

 a horrible, man-eating fish, and was used to intimidate naughtv children. 



WHITE SHARK (man-eater) : Carchawdon carcharias 



Size: Averages 8 to 12 feet. Rare over 15 feet. Recorded up to 36V2 feet. 



Weight: At 21 feet, one weighed 7,100 pounds and its liver weighed 1,005 

 pounds. 



Distribution: Nowhere common. Most common near southeastern Australia. 

 Occurs in all warm temperate and tropical seas. 



Identification: Similar to mako and mackerel sharks, but the second dorsal 

 and anal fins are even more reduced; the teeth are triangular with serrate edoes 

 and the shape stouter. Coloration is slate-grav with a black axillar spot. Over 

 15 feet, the color fades to lead-white. 



