- Body slender with long narrow pectoral fins
- Long sharply rounded snout, longer than width of mouth
- Body color is blue, fading to a white belly
- First dorsal fin starts well behind the pectoral fin
- No interdorsal ridge
Similar Species: Shortfin mako, I. oxyrinchus (tail in shape of crescent moon)
Habitat & Range
Found worldwide in temperate and tropical pelagic (open ocean) waters. They rarely approach nearshore areas, but have been documented near oceanic islands and where the continental shelf is narrow.
Life History
After approximately 12 months of gestation, females give birth to live young. Broods contain 25-50+ pups. Size at birth ranges from 16-20 inches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Size
The largest recorded blue shark measured 12.6 feet.Β Matures at approximately 4-6 years of age (between 6-10 feet) and is estimated to live up to 20 + years.
