Shortfin Mako Sharks in GURPS

Isurus oxyrinchus

The shortfin mako is an exceptionally fast swimmer, even for the fast swimming lamnids. It eats primarily other fast moving fish, darting in to snap one up from a school, dashing away, then hurtling back for more. They have a high strung, twitchy disposition, moving quickly, changing direction often, and performing repeated "swim-bys" of objects that catch their interest. This jittery behavior is often distinctly unnerving to divers who must share the water with them.

The mako a popular sport fish. It is a strong fighter, and makes spectactular leaps when hooked. It has been known to attack humans unprovoked on rare occasions. This may be in part because of its offshore habits, which rarely bring it into contact with people. It often behaves aggressively when feeding stimuli are present (such as speared fish), and will not hestiate to attack if provoked. There are many accounts of the mako attacking boats, either ramming, biting, or smashing through the boats of fishermen that have hooked one of these sharks. Sometimes they leap into a boat, an event often quickly followed by the occupants jumping into the water!

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