ExploreFish

Hammerhead Shark

Sphyrna spp.

Hammerhead Sharks have a unique hammer-shaped head! They are great swimmers and can be found in warm waters.

Habitat: Warm ocean waters

Appearance

The Hammerhead Shark has a distinctive, flattened T-shaped head with eyes positioned on each end. Its body is typically grey-brown on top, blending into a white underside. This unique head shape makes it visually different from all other sharks.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassElasmobranchiiOrderCarcharhiniformesFamilySphyrnidaeGenusSphyrna

Hammerhead Shark

Interesting facts

Some hammerhead species give birth to live pups, not eggs!

Their unique head is called a 'cephalofoil' by scientists.

They sometimes get a 'sunburn' if they swim too long in shallow waters!

Young hammerheads gather in huge groups, sometimes hundreds, for safety!

Special abilities

Hammerhead Sharks have eyes at the ends of their wide head, which gives them an almost 360-degree view around them.

Hammerhead Sharks can find hidden prey because they have special sensors on their wide head that detect electrical signals.

Hammerhead Sharks can pin down stingrays with their shovel-shaped head, which helps them catch their favorite food.

Measurements & details

Length: 250-610 cm
Weight: 80-450 kg
Lifespan: 20-40 years
Swim Speed: 25 km/h
Max Depth: 500 m
Water Type: Saltwater

Diet & Feeding

Hammerheads are hungry hunters that gobble up fish, stingrays, and even crabs!

Primary Foods

stingrays
smaller fish
crabs
squid
octopus

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

eats

Southern stingray

Hypanus americanus

A favorite meal for hammerheads.

eats

Striped mullet

Mugil cephalus

Common schooling fish hunted by sharks.

eaten by

Orca

Orcinus orca

Occasionally preyed upon by killer whales.

Traits

Wildlife

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Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Carnivorous

Discover fierce hunters and clever predators that get all their energy from eating other animals. They play a vital role in keeping nature's balance.

Electrogenic

Uncover amazing creatures that can generate their own electricity, using this power for defense, communication, or even to stun prey. Nature's living batteries!

Aquatic

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Marine

Dive into the vast, salty waters of the ocean, teeming with an incredible diversity of life, from tiny plankton to giant whales! It's a watery wonderland.