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Toothhound
Lamnidae

Isurus oxyrinchus

Mako (extant)
PliocenePleistoceneRecentcommon

The shortfin mako — fastest shark in the ocean. Recent and Pleistocene teeth wash up frequently on Florida beaches, often paler than their Miocene cousins.

Typical size
0.5–2″
Trophy size
2.25″+
Age range
0.012–2.6 Ma
Body length
—

How to ID it in the field

  • ▸Smooth narrow blade, sigmoidal curve, no serrations
  • ▸Smaller and paler than Carcharodon hastalis
  • ▸Lateral teeth flare strongly, anteriors are dagger-straight
  • ▸No cusplets
Quick reference
Shape
narrow blade
Serrations
none
Cusplets
none
Root
narrow bilobed
Color
Cream, tan, light brown

Sample reference images

Use these visual references to compare angle, wear, and silhouette before making a final ID.

Mako (extant) (Isurus oxyrinchus) — Luca Oddone
Reference 1
📷 Luca Oddone · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Mako (extant) (Isurus oxyrinchus) — Luca Oddone
Reference 2
📷 Luca Oddone · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Mako (extant) (Isurus oxyrinchus) — David Starr Jordan
Reference 3
📷 David Starr Jordan · Public domain · Commons
Mako (extant) (Isurus oxyrinchus) — Ratianidze
Reference 4
📷 Ratianidze · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons

Often confused with

Extinct mako / broad-tooth mako

Best locations

Caspersen Beach (Venice)
Florida
→
Manasota Key Beach
Florida
→
Jupiter Beach (Carlin Park)
Florida
→
Amelia Island (north end)
Florida
→