The great hammerhead shark is the largest of all hammerhead species, reaching a maximum known length of 20 feet (6.1 m)1 and weight of 991 pounds (450 kg).2 The species is distinguished from other hammerheads by its nearly straight hammer-shaped head (cephalofoil) that has a prominent indentation in the middle. They trap the stingrays and clamp it on the sea floor. Their small size makes them easy to care for in a zoological setting. We are restoring the world’s wild fish populations to serve as a sustainable source of protein for people.
Hammerhead sharks can grow up to a length of 20 feet and weigh around 1,000 pounds. Three hammerhead species have a high risk of extinction: the great hammerhead, which is threatened by the shark fin trade and bycatch (unwanted fish …
Some species, such as the scalloped hammerhead (S. lewini) and smooth hammerhead (S. zygaena), form large schools that may be segregated by sex or age. Hammerhead shark, (family Sphyrnidae), any of 10 shark species belonging to the genera Sphyrna (9 species) and Eusphyrna (1 species), which are characterized by a flattened hammer- or shovel-shaped head, or cephalofoil. Because of their large size, great hammerhead sharks are not preyed upon by other marine animals.1, Great hammerheads are, however, vulnerable to overfishing.
Researchers have found partially-digested seagrass in the stomachs of the bonnethead shark. When a hammerhead pup is born, its head is more rounded than its parents'. ‘Hammerhead sharks’ is the name of a group of sharks. They also congregate around islands across the Pacific, and in the Indo-Pacific along the coast of southern Russia all the way to Africa. Zoos have not kept larger species successfully. 3.
There are 10 species of hammerhead shark.. Hammerheads are found worldwide in warmer waters along coastlines and continental shelves..
Endangered (Highly Vulnerable To Extinction), Class Chondrichthyes, Order Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks), Family Sphyrnidae (Hammerhead sharks). There are nine different species of hammerhead shark, and each has its own unique traits and adaptations. First, the flattened and expanded head acts as a hydrodynamic bow plane that allows the shark to raise and turn its head quickly and sharply. Hammerhead sharks are widely distributed in tropical and temperate marine waters near the coasts and above the continental shelves. TheHammerheadis one of the seven playable sharks in Sharkbite. The shark hunts alone, and can find stingrays that hide under the sand on the seafloor. There are very few documented incidents of hammerhead sharks biting humans. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Hammerhead shark, (family Sphyrnidae), any of 10 shark species belonging to the genera Sphyrna (9 species) and Eusphyrna (1 species), which are characterized by a flattened hammer- or shovel-shaped head, or cephalofoil. The favorite meal of hammerhead sharks is stingrays. We have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life - but there is still more to be done. Great hammerhead sharks have been found with stingray and catfish barbs sticking out of their mouths, suggesting that they are immune to stingray and catfish venom.1. Only 17 unprovoked shark bites have been recorded in the past several centuries. It’s finding their known local haunts that give you the best chances of finding your target instead of bycatch. Specialized tanks and an appropriate diet help keep them healthy. For the most part, they prefer warmer waters.
This family belongs to the order Carcharhiniformes and has two genera: Eusphyra and Sphyrna, the first with one species and the latter with the remaining nine.All hammerhead sharks are easily recognized by the unique and striking head they have, which is the origin of their name in English (Hammerhead shark).
This puts a number of species in danger of extinction. A ravenous shark with a hammer-shaped head it uses to quickly detect its prey. Hammerhead Shark Facts for Kids – Great Hammerhead Shark Facts, Cookie Cutter Shark Facts for Kids – Cookie Cutter Shark Interesting Facts, Greenland Shark Facts for Kids – Greenland Shark Interesting Facts & Information, Megalodon Shark Facts for Kids – Megalodon Shark Facts and Information, Tasmanian Devil Facts for Kids – Fun Facts & Information, Wedge Tailed Eagle Facts for Kids – Australian Wedge Tailed Eagle Facts, Harpy Eagle Facts for Kids – Harpy Eagle Fun Facts. Great hammerhead sharks are believed to be cannibalistic, eating their own species if need be. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription.
The IUCN lists a number of hammerhead shark species as Endangered or Vulnerable, and they have not assessed a few species yet. Learn about the scalloped hammerhead shark. Birth usually occurs during the spring and summer months, and females will usually give birth in shallow, protected coastal waters. The waters off Malpelo Island, Colombia, are home to a diverse marine life, which includes the scalloped hammerhead shark. Let's find out and explore about hammerheads in Hammerhead Sharks Facts for kids! Some species are widespread, while others have more specific and restricted ranges.
The upper sides of these fish are grayish-brown or olive-green and they have white bellies. The hammerhead sharks are a group of sharks that form the family Sphyrnidae, so named for the unusual and distinctive structure of their heads, which are flattened and laterally extended into a "hammer" shape called a cephalofoil. The lifespan of hammerhead sharks is estimated to be 25 to 35 years. A female gives birth to live young. The reproductive cycle for these sharks is about 1 year. These sharks have a hammer-like head with small mouth. Hammerhead sharks are viviparous: they retain fertilized eggs within the body and give birth to live young—from 2 to 42. Let’s get on with many more hammerhead shark facts and information. If the pups are not threatened by fisheries or preyed upon by larger shark species, including great hammerheads, they may live up to 44 years, and possibly longer.1, Like other hammerhead species, great hammerhead sharks have long, serrated teeth and use their hammer-shaped heads to detect and eat prey. Stingrays are widely hunted as a favorite food. The largest species is the Great hammerhead. Hammerhead Shark Reproduction: A litter size can range from 6 to 50 pups at a time. Learn more about these interesting creatures below. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The oddest-looking sharks are the hammerheads (. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Updates?
Overview of several shark species, including the lemon, tiger, and hammerhead sharks. Hammerhead sharks can grow up to a length of 20 feet and weigh around 1,000 pounds. © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- It is unknown whether they feed on this grass or accidentally ingest it.
The shark's eye placement, on each end of its very wide head, allows it to scan more area more quickly than other sharks can.
4. A few species migrate into offshore waters to feed at night. Like many oceanic species, they have countershading coloration to help them blend in. A number of hammerhead species are social while they are not hunting. Hammerhead sharks do not make good pets. Great hammerheads are particularly threatened by the global shark fin trade because of the large size of their fins.3 More than 90 percent of great hammerheads die once they are captured by targeted or incidental fisheries.2 This high mortality rate, along with the shark’s coastal habitat and highly valued fin, makes the great hammerhead shark endangered with extinction.3.
These sharks are most common in tropical, subtropical, and temperate seas. Hammerheads also eat bony fishes, crabs, squid, lobsters, and other sea creatures. Hammerhead sharks do not make good pets. It has a length of about 18 to 20 feet. The peculiar shapes of sphyrnid cephalofoils appear to serve several purposes. The great hammerhead shark is the largest of all hammerhead species, reaching a maximum known length of 20 feet (6.1 m) 1 and weight of 991 pounds (450 kg). Weâre setting sail to the home of some of the WILDEST animals on Earth. Hammerhead sharks, or sphyrnids, are perhaps the most distinctive and unique of all sharks. A great way to get involved in protecting #oceans: Join Oceana as a Wavemaker & sound off on important issues! Omissions? Unlike most sharks, many species of hammerheads are social, and swim in schools during the day. Nonetheless, large hammerhead sharks should be respected and avoided by bathers and divers. Adult lengths can range widely by species, and may measure anywhere from 3 – 20 feet long! In fact, the great hammerhead specializes in hunting and eating large stingrays, and some members of this species have been found to have dozens of stingray barbs embedded in their flesh. They may migrate seasonally, moving equatorward during the winter and poleward during the summer. The hammerhead sharks are a group of sharks so named for the unusual and distinctive structure of their heads, which are flattened and laterally extended into a “hammer” shape.. While hammerhead sharks usually are not considered dangerous, there have been several confirmed accounts of large hammerhead sharks attacking people. Chopper footage shows the shark circling in crystal clear waters in … Its ancestors first appeared as far back as 20 million years before. Sailors for the Sea developed the KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) program to create the next generation of ocean stewards. Hammerhead Shark Lifespan: These sharks have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years. Great hammerhead sharks have been found at depths of 984 feet (300 m) but typically stay in coastal waters up to 262 feet (80 m) deep.2, 5. Great hammerhead sharks are apex predators and can be found worldwide in coastal, warm waters that are 68 degrees (20 degrees Celsius) or higher.