Hammerhead shark | Facts & Information

# Hammerhead Shark | Facts & Information

Hammerhead Shark | Discover Fascinating Facts and Information About Hammerhead Shark

The hammerhead shark (Sphyrna zygaena) is part of the family Sphyrnidae, order Carcharhiniformes. It can be found in tropical and subtropical waters, more specifically in temperate waters around the world.

Species of hammerhead shark:

Hammerhead Shark

The hammerhead shark, also known by its scientific name Sphyrna mokarran, is one of the most fascinating and impressive marine animals. With its distinctive hammer-shaped head, this shark captures the imagination of people all over the world. Although it is considered a dangerous predator, the hammerhead shark also brings numerous benefits to the marine ecosystem.

Hammerhead sharks primarily live in tropical and temperate regions of oceans and seas worldwide. They can be found in the Mediterranean Sea, the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, particularly near coral reefs and atolls. These sharks live in large groups called "schools" and constantly move in search of food and breeding grounds.

One of the most distinctive characteristics of the hammerhead shark is its unique head shape. Its elongated "T"-shaped head is especially useful during hunting. This unique head shape allows the hammerhead shark to have a wider field of vision, giving it an advantage in easily detecting the presence of prey and other potential dangers.

Hammerhead sharks mainly feed on fish, sea rays, and various other marine creatures. They use their hammer-shaped head to detect electrical signals emitted by the muscles of organisms in the water and to locate prey. These sharks are also highly sensitive to smell in the water and can detect the scent of blood, even in very low concentrations. This ability helps them locate the presence of prey, making them successful hunters.

Hammerhead sharks are adaptable animals and can survive in different types of marine habitats. They can be found near beaches, coral reefs, open ocean, and even estuaries. These sharks live at different depths, from the water's surface to depths of over 2000 meters.

Although aesthetically the hammerhead shark exudes power and beauty, its role in the marine ecosystem is much deeper. These sharks play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of the oceans. By controlling the populations of other predators and regulating fish populations, hammerhead sharks contribute to the health of coral reefs and the entire marine ecosystem.

Unfortunately, the hammerhead shark is also a threatened species due to human activities. Overfishing for meat, fins, and fish oil, as well as the destruction of their natural habitats, have significantly reduced hammerhead shark populations worldwide. Protecting and conserving this species is essential for maintaining marine balance and preserving biodiversity.

In conclusion, the hammerhead shark is a fascinating animal that makes significant contributions to the marine ecosystem. With its distinctive hammer-shaped head and impressive hunting skills, this shark sits at the top of the marine food chain and plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of the ocean. However, protecting this species is essential as the hammerhead shark faces significant threats from human activities.

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Origin

It can be found in foreign or specialized literature under the names: hammerhead shark, hammerhead shark or the smooth hammerhead.

The first species of hammerhead shark was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, and the newest species was discovered in 2013. At the time the article appeared there are nine species of hammerhead sharks.

Some species have been targeted by authorities because their numbers are dwindling and will soon be declared in danger of extinction. And today fishermen catch hammerhead sharks in their nets and the meat is sold in stores.

Some parts are sought for food purposes. In order not to encourage trade I will not make these parts Public. Sharks, along with other marine animals, are Sanitary of the oceans.

Feeding The Hammerhead Shark

The hammerhead shark feeds on stingrays, various species of other smaller sharks, fish, snakes, crustaceans, etc.

The hammerhead shark's favorite prey is the sea eagle (it is a species similar to the Sea Cat).

After killing its prey it somehow fixes it on the ocean floor and begins to consume it.

Appearance Hammerhead Shark

The hammerhead shark is 4-5 meters long and weighs 200 – 400kg. The mouth is endowed with about 60 teeth. The body is dark grey or grey-brown on the back, and the belly and underparts are whitish. On the side you can see the 5 gills symmetrically positioned on either side of the body.

The hammerhead shark can be easily identified by The Shape of its head as a hammerhead. The eyes are positioned at the extreme giving it both a great advantage and a great disadvantage. The advantage is that he has very good vision, even binocular and can see at 360 degrees.

These sharks see sideways, below and above and can even estimate the depth quite well. The disadvantage is that the eyes are exposed to predators and can lose their sight quite easily. No one knows why the hammerhead shark evolved this way. Biologists hypothesize that this better identifies prey or helps it float better.

There are about 10 species of hammerhead shark in the world. The largest species of hammerhead shark is the glossy hammerhead shark. Parts of the hammerhead shark were considered a culinary delicacy. We will not make them public and we will only tell you that in many countries it is forbidden to fish this fish.

Sphyrna corona S.-bonnethead Scalloped

Sphyrna gilberti-Carolina hammerhead

Sphyrna lewini - scalloped hammerhead

Sphyrna media-Scoophead

Sphyrna mokarran-Great hammerhead

Sphyrna tiburo-Bonnethead

Sphyrna tudes-smalleye hammerhead

Sphyrna zygaena-Smooth hammerhead

Hammerhead Shark Behaviour

The hammerhead shark dives to a depth of 400 metres. It is often seen on the surface, the dorsal fin can be easily seen.

It is a migratory species that moves in shoals to defend itself more easily from attacks by other sharks or predators. It has few natural predators. The shoals consist of 50 to 500 individuals.

That proves they're sociable. The group usually follows a road almost as a routine and settle in places where food is most accessible.

He has an unpredictable temper and is considered aggressive if you enter his territory. Many consider this fish bizarre both because of its shape and behavior.