Shark Week team discovers unusual ‘black makos’ off California coast
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In 2019, shark tagger Keith Poe was working off the coast of California when he hooked a surprisingly big “black mako” shark. The shark appeared larger and darker than shortfin makos (Isurus paucus), which are generally dark blue or gray with white undersides.
ThissightingisthebasisofthenewSharkWeekshow“BlackMakooftheAbyss,”whereateamsetsouttofindmoreoftheseblackmakosinanattempttoworkoutexactlywhatPoecaughtsixyearsago.Suggestionsforthecreature’sunusualappearanceandsizeincludegeneticmutationsandthepotentialforshortfinmakoshybridizingwithanotherspecies.
Intheepisode,PoeworkswithenvironmentalscientistKendylBerna,marinebiologistTristanGuttridgeandsharkattacksurvivorPauldeGelderastheytravel40miles(64kilometers)offthecoastofCaliforniatolureoceanpredatorsinthehopeofattractingblackmakos.Theirultimategoalistoobtaintissuesamplestoconductgeneticanalysisandfindoutwhatthemysteriousanimalsreallyare.
Duringtheshow,theteamluressharksusingahe
