Hammerhead Sharks

Name

Hammerhead sharks (Sphyrnidae)

Others in Family

Scalloped, Kidney-headed, Southern or Bronze

Size

Hammerheads can measure up to 6m in length.

Hammerhead Sharks Identification

Hammerheads are characterised by the shape of their head, which is flattened laterally. Its eyes and nostrils are located at the ends of the hammer, which is called the cephalofoil.

Hammerhead Sharks General Info

Hammerhead sharks belong to the Sphyrnidae family which comprises of two genera and eight species. They can be seen in big groups of up to 100 individuals. The cephalofoil is used for sensing, maneuvering and manipulating prey. Hammerhead sharks can darken with a tan when exposed to a lot of sun in shallow waters.

They are viviparous, and the young are fully developed when born in litters of 15 to 30 pups. These creatures are considered endangered.

Hammerhead Sharks Feeding

Hammerhead sharks feed on bony fish, skates, rays, octopus, crustaceans, and squid. They hunt at the bottom of the ocean.

Hammerhead Sharks Distribution

Hammerhead sharks can be found in all temperate oceans across the world.

Common Species

Great hammerhead
Sphyrna mokarran
Smooth hammerhead
Sphyrna zygaena
Scalloped hammerhead
Sphyrna lewini