Marine biologists have discovered a massive 15-feet mako shark \u2013\u2013 possibly the largest of the species \u2013\u2013 in the waters off California. The team of experts tracked down this mega shark in the Pacific Ocean. <\/p>\n
The team, led by marine biologist Tristan Guttridge, launched the search after tourists reported sightings of a mako measuring more than 12 ft off the coast of Cabo San Lucas in Mexico.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The daredevil discovery was featured in the \u201cBiggest Mako on Earth\u201d episode <\/a>of Shark Week that aired on the Discovery Channel<\/a> earlier this week.\u00a0<\/p>\n They spotted two large sharks measuring just over 11 feet and 12 feet, respectively, during the expedition.\u00a0Since adult female makos can grow to 12 feet, it wasn\u2019t the creature they were looking for.<\/p>\n Marine biologist Tristan Guttridge stayed inside a steel cage and measured the shark with cameras. Discovery<\/p>\n The third mako shark discovered by the researchers made the previous 12-foot record look modest by comparison. They continued the search in the cooler waters surrounding Catalina Island off the California coast. Just as the experts were about to end their mission, a huge female mako shark made its way towards their boat and tore a piece of tuna to shreds \u2013\u2013 the bait that the team was using to attract the marine mammals. <\/p>\n When the first shark arrived, Guttridge used cameras to measure the animal, while inside a steel cage for safety. Though the team of experts couldn\u2019t get its exact measurements, the third mako easily surpassed the one that measured 12 feet.\u00a0<\/p>\n The team used tuna as bait for attracting mako sharks. Discovery<\/p>\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t get a precise measurement, but it is very possible that last mako broke the 13-foot ceiling,\u201d Documentary producer and marine biologist Kendyl Berna said, reports the Daily Mail.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe know there are bigger makos out here,\u201d Berna said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCalifornia’s top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n During the documentary episode, Clara Calatayud, who had initially spotted the mammoth shark, took Guttridge back to the spot where the tourist group had first seen it.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe team that saw this shark, they\u2019ve spent time in the water with these, so this was definitely a massive animal,\u2019 Guttridge said.<\/p>\n
Discovery<\/p>\n