James T. Ketchum, Alex Hearn, A. Peter Klimley, Eduardo Espinoza, César Peñaherrera, John L. Largier, Seasonal changes in movements and habitat preferences of the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) while refuging near an oceanic island, Marine Biology, 10.1007/s00227-013-2375-5, 161, 4, (755-767), (2014). The great hammerhead is the largest of the nine identified species of this shark. Distribution. 1989. and Lyle, J.M. Their bellies are white which allows them to blend into the ocean when viewed from the bottom and sneak up on their prey. Females grow larger than males. Interesting Facts About the Hammerhead Shark. Scalloped Hammerhead. Foreign. There are nine different species of hammerhead shark, and each has its own unique traits and adaptations. It’s likely that over … Age and growth of the scalloped hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini, in the north-west Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The teeth are smooth edged. 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. Like all hammerhead sharks, the scalloped hammerhead has a hammer shaped head with a central dent and an arched front edge. The “Hammer” Head – The uniquely shaped head that all hammerhead sharks share is called a cephalofoil. Hammerheads are usually gray-brown to olive-green on top. Sharks can detect weak electrical fields using electrical sense organs called the ampullae of Lorenzini. This shark's unusual name comes from the unusual shape of its head, an amazing piece of anatomy built to maximize the fish's ability to find its favorite meal: stingrays. The funds raised by WAWA will be donated to Galapagos Conservation Trust’s Endangered Sharks … Although they primarily inhabit open marine waters, scalloped hammerheads can also be found near continental and island shelves and often enter bays and estuaries as well. Scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini. The Amazing World of Sharks. The Explorers Club went live on Facebook to do a deep dive on the importance of sharks in our ecosystem. The most distinguishing characteristic of this shark is it's "hammer-shaped" head. There are nine species of hammerhead sharks that inhabit all oceans of the world. This problem, driven by the high economic value of its fins and the consumption of its meat, has led to the species being overfished during all stages of its lifecycle. The scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) was the first shark species to be protected under the U.S. the scalloped hammerhead shark facts. West Coast. Out of nine species, two are listed as endangered (great hammerhead and scalloped hammerhead) and one as vulnerable (golden hammerhead) species. Here are five interesting facts about them: These large sharks grow over 3 metres long, making them one of the largest species of hammerheads in the world. The scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) is listed as globally endangered on the IUCN’s Red List. Next Up. ("Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks, Sphyrna lewini", 1998; Carpenter, 2011) Scalloped hammerheads utilize different habitats daily. Sphyrna is the Greek word for hammer, which is how the scientific name was derived. Characteristic features. The Scalloped Hammerhead sometimes forms large migratory schools, dispersing at night to feed in deeper waters. The most recognisable feature of these sharks is the ‘hammer’ on the head, with eyes and nose located at the tips of these extensions. A hammerhead shark uses its wide head to trap stingrays by pinning them to the seafloor. Southeast. Published. Stevens, J.D. They are most commonly found in the ‘Hammerhead Triangle’ between Cocos, Galapagos and Malpelo as well as the Red Sea. The scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) is a species of hammerhead shark. Today I want to write about an amazing shark with a very strange head, the scalloped hammerhead. They are known to form large migratory schools and in Australia tend to move south during the warmer months. 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. Endangered Species Act and has life history characteristics that make this species particularly at risk for local depletion. Large scalloped hammerhead sharks will eat other small shark species. 14ft (1.5 - 2.7m., max 4.2m) Depth: 10 - 600 ft (3 - 182m) Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks are the most common species of hammerheads in costal regions, even appearing in shallow waters like estuaries and inlets. Conservation and management efforts of marine apex predators are more reliable when information on movement and habitat use patterns are known. Tanaka, … The scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) is a species of hammerhead shark, and part of the family Sphyrnidae.Originally known as Zygaena lewini, its genus name was later changed to its current name.The Greek word sphyrna translates into "hammer" in English, referring to the shape of this shark's head. The largest species is the Great hammerhead. There are a two proposed uses/advantages to this oddly shaped head. The principal conservation problem facing this species is its population decline. (It's possible that these sharks are a separate species, the great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran.) SCALLOPED HAMMERHEAD SHARK, Sphyrna lewini, Sphyrnidae, Red Sea, Egypt. Scalloped hammerheads usually grow to the length of 1.5 to 2.7 meters long, but the longest found was 4.3 meters long. Hammerhead sharks prefer swimming in the continental shelf and seashores of tropical waters around the world. They are a reasonably large shark, but still smaller than the great hammerhead. Hammerhead shark is probably the weirdest type of sharks. When fully grown, it gets to 6 meters in length (20ft) and weighs 170 kilograms (600 pounds). Learn more about these interesting creatures below. Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Sphyrna lewini. The Scalloped Hammerhead Shark is a coastal pelagic species with a circumglobal distribution in warm temperate and tropical coastal areas between 45°N and 34°S. Habitat and distribution. The height of the second dorsal fin is less than or equal to the length of the third gill slit. Habitat. The lifespan for most Hammerheads is between 25 and 35 years. Scalloped hammerhead use the sensors in their… With the help of harpoons, scientists want to equip the sharks with transmitters. Description. These are connected to the exterior via pores in the shark's snout. Scalloped hammerhead sharks are moderately large sharks with a global distribution. Scalloped hammerhead sharks get their name from the deep indentation in the centre of their hammer-like head. Scalloped Hammerhead Shark 5-Year Review (2020) Notice, Pacific Islands. The scalloped bonnethead (Sphyrna corona) is the smallest species of hammerhead shark, measures up to 92 centimeters (36 inches) long. The biology of three hammerhead sharks (Eusphyrna blochii, Sphyrna mokarran and S. lewini) from Northern Australia. Scalloped hammerhead sharks are listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Scalloped Hammerheads are the most common hammerhead and can be found in warm temperate to tropical oceans, from coastal areas to islands and seamounts far offshore. Determination on the Designation of Critical Habitat for Scalloped Hammerhead Shark. The tips of the hammer each bear an eye and a nostril, and are several feet apart. The scalloped hammerhead shark belongs to the large hammerhead species, and like all representatives of this family, has the typically formed "hammer" consisting of a central dent and an arched front edge (hence the name). The Ecology of the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, Sphyrna lewini J in Hawaiil THOMAS A. CLARKE2 ABSTRACT: Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, is a pupping ground for the scalloped hammer­ head shark, Sphyrna lewini, the pups being most abundant between April and October. Today is Shark Awareness Day! The second species aided by WAWA’s campaign is the scalloped hammerhead shark, a beautiful mystery of the deep whose weird appearance is matched by its unique social behaviour which has unfortunately contributed to their own downfall as large groups are caught in fishing nets when they gather. Hammerhead sharks Temporal range: Paleocene to present PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N Scalloped hammerhead Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Order: Carcharhiniformes Family: Sphyrnidae T. N. Gill, 1872 Genera Eusphyra Sphyrna The hammer-like shape of the head means that hammerhead sharks can sweep for prey more effectively. https://oceana.org/marine-life/sharks-rays/scalloped-hammerhead-shark Hammerhead Shark Facts for Kids. 05/14/2020. Two distinct population segments of the scalloped hammerhead shark are listed as endangered and two are listed as threatened under the Endangered … Like all other hammerhead sharks, the scalloped hammerhead has a "hammer", which is known as the "cephalofoil", on its head.The shark's eyes and nostrils are placed on the ends of the cephalofoil. Hammerhead Shark Lifespan: These sharks have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years. Photo by: Gerard Soury Gerard Soury. These sharks are present even within a depth of about 1 meter (3.3 feet) on the seashore and up to 80 meters (260 feet). Sharks are Nearly Extinct in the World's Reefs . Scalloped hammerhead sharks, Sphyrna lewini (Griffith and Smith, 1834), are large hammerhead sharks with moderately high first dorsal fins and low second dorsal and pelvic fins. Marine and Freshwater Research 58: 34-40. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 40: 129–146. A curved hammer with a central notch; the dorsal fins are smaller than those of the great hammerhead. Most other species only grow to 4 meters (13ft). Their colouring is mainly brownish grey, olive or bronze above, with a white belly. Hammerhead sharks can grow up to a length of 20 feet and weigh around 1,000 pounds. While the other species of hammerhead sharks belong to the genus Sphyrna, the Winghead shark has a genus of its own, known as Eusphyra. They are threatened by commercial fishing, mainly for the shark fin trade. Scalloped hammerhead sharks are also at risk in regions where the hammerheads are not hunted themselves because they often get caught in fishing nets. During summer, few individuals are seen to migrate toward the poles like the South China Sea and off Florida. In general, hammerheads aren't aggressive toward humans, although on rare occasions larger sharks have attacked people. Another typical characteristic is the free end tip of the second dorsal fin which almost reaches the tail fin. Like all sharks, they have a cartilaginous skeleton and rough skin, and a streamlined body shape. Cool facts. It is a rare, little-known species of hammerhead shark. Scientific Name: Sphyrna lewini Family: Hammerhead Sharks - Sphyrnidae Adult Length: 4 - 6 m (13 - 19 ft) Size: 5 - 9 ft., max. Hammerhead sharks can be found both in deep and shallow waters. Hammerhead Shark Habitat. These sharks are also known for staying in groups or schools during the day and hunting alone at night. 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