Species group · Cartilaginous fish

Mackerel Sharks

WAnimals has 2 species of mackerel shark, all in the family Lamnidae.

2 species
1 family
128 countries
82 parks
Weight
50 kg – 230 kg
Length
1.5 m – 4.5 m
Lifespan
30 – 45 years

Ranges calculated from the entries that record the figure, not from all 2.

All 2 species of mackerel sharks on WAnimals

Each one has its own full entry. This group does not replace them: it brings them together.

Conservation status

1 Vulnerable1 Endangered

2 especies in this group están en alguna categoría de riesgo real según la UICN.

See the global conservation status

Where they live

Recorded in 128 countries. The ones with the most species in the group:

Where to see them

Did you know…

  • It is partly warm-blooded: a network of blood vessels called the rete mirabile recovers the heat from the muscle before it is lost through the gills, letting it keep its body up to ten degrees above the water and hunt effectively in cold seas.

    From Porbeagle

  • It has been observed at play: rolling among floating seaweed, chasing one another and pushing drifting objects about with no apparent feeding purpose, a behaviour rarely documented in sharks.

    From Porbeagle

  • Its north-east Atlantic population, Spanish waters included, is listed as critically endangered even though the species globally is listed as vulnerable.

    From Porbeagle

  • It is one of the fastest sharks known, able to hit peaks of over 70 km/h thanks to an extremely streamlined body.

    From Shortfin Mako

Ecosystems

See every species group · Explore the species one by one