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. Hammerhead sharks prefer swimming in the continental shelf and seashores of tropical waters around the world. Determination on the Designation of Critical Habitat for Scalloped Hammerhead Shark. The largest species is the Great hammerhead. These sharks are also known for staying in groups or schools during the day and hunting alone at night. SCALLOPED HAMMERHEAD SHARK, Sphyrna lewini, Sphyrnidae, Red Sea, Egypt. Hammerhead sharks are a group of sharks that belong to the family Sphyrnidae, having 9 species. Next Up. Published. ("Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks, Sphyrna lewini", 1998; Carpenter, 2011) Scalloped hammerheads utilize different habitats daily. They are a reasonably large shark, but still smaller than the great hammerhead. There are nine different species of hammerhead shark, and each has its own unique traits and adaptations. Like all sharks, they have a cartilaginous skeleton and rough skin, and a streamlined body shape. They are known to form large migratory schools and in Australia tend to move south during the warmer months. The most recognisable feature of these sharks is the ‘hammer’ on the head, with eyes and nose located at the tips of these extensions. the scalloped hammerhead shark facts. (It's possible that these sharks are a separate species, the great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran.) Characteristic features. Hammerhead shark is probably the weirdest type of sharks. Interesting Facts About the Hammerhead Shark. While the other species of hammerhead sharks belong to the genus Sphyrna, the Winghead shark has a genus of its own, known as Eusphyra. Hammerhead Shark Habitat. 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. Scalloped hammerhead use the sensors in their… 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). Sphyrna is the Greek word for hammer, which is how the scientific name was derived. Their bellies are white which allows them to blend into the ocean when viewed from the bottom and sneak up on their prey. Scalloped hammerhead sharks are listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). 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. Two distinct population segments of the scalloped hammerhead shark are listed as endangered and two are listed as threatened under the Endangered … Distribution. 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. Most other species only grow to 4 meters (13ft). Species Status Native; View All Species; Distinguishing Characteristics. Let’s get on with many more hammerhead shark facts and information. A curved hammer with a central notch; the dorsal fins are smaller than those of the great hammerhead. The “Hammer” Head – The uniquely shaped head that all hammerhead sharks share is called a cephalofoil. 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. https://oceana.org/marine-life/sharks-rays/scalloped-hammerhead-shark Habitat and distribution. A hammerhead shark uses its wide head to trap stingrays by pinning them to the seafloor. Like all hammerhead sharks, the scalloped hammerhead has a hammer shaped head with a central dent and an arched front edge. During summer, few individuals are seen to migrate toward the poles like the South China Sea and off Florida. The Scalloped Hammerhead sometimes forms large migratory schools, dispersing at night to feed in deeper waters. 1989. The tips of the hammer each bear an eye and a nostril, and are several feet apart. Marine and Freshwater Research 58: 34-40. Today is Shark Awareness Day! 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. 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. It has a length of about 18 to 20 feet. The biology of three hammerhead sharks (Eusphyrna blochii, Sphyrna mokarran and S. lewini) from Northern Australia. Scalloped hammerheads usually grow to the length of 1.5 to 2.7 meters long, but the longest found was 4.3 meters long. Scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini. Out of nine species, two are listed as endangered (great hammerhead and scalloped hammerhead) and one as vulnerable (golden hammerhead) species. Conservation and management efforts of marine apex predators are more reliable when information on movement and habitat use patterns are known. The principal conservation problem facing this species is its population decline. Cool facts. Usual tooth count 15-2-15 / 15/16-1-15/16 . The lifespan for most Hammerheads is between 25 and 35 years. Foreign. These are connected to the exterior via pores in the shark's snout. The funds raised by WAWA will be donated to Galapagos Conservation Trust’s Endangered Sharks … Scalloped hammerhead sharks are also at risk in regions where the hammerheads are not hunted themselves because they often get caught in fishing nets. The scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) was the first shark species to be protected under the U.S. Photo by: Gerard Soury Gerard Soury. That is why it is important to learn more about their whereabouts and hikes. It is a rare, little-known species of hammerhead shark. The teeth are smooth edged. Age and growth of the scalloped hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini, in the north-west Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Scalloped Hammerhead; Scoophead; Great Hammerhead; Bonnethead; Smalleye Hammerhead; Smooth Hammerhead; The largest of them all is the Great 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 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. Scalloped hammerhead sharks are moderately large sharks with a global distribution. Habitat. Hammerhead sharks can be found both in deep and shallow waters. 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. Another typical characteristic is the free end tip of the second dorsal fin which almost reaches the tail fin. Hammerhead Shark Lifespan: These sharks have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years. Their colouring is mainly brownish grey, olive or bronze above, with a white belly. Stevens, J.D. The scalloped bonnethead (Sphyrna corona) is the smallest species of hammerhead shark, measures up to 92 centimeters (36 inches) long. 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). It’s likely that over … With the help of harpoons, scientists want to equip the sharks with transmitters. 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 hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) is a species of hammerhead shark. Hammerhead sharks, or sphyrnids, are perhaps the most distinctive and unique of all sharks. Females grow larger than males. In general, hammerheads aren't aggressive toward humans, although on rare occasions larger sharks have attacked people. Scalloped Hammerhead. There are nine species of hammerhead sharks that inhabit all oceans of the world. It can grow up to 20 feet in length and weigh up to 1,000 pounds, although smaller sizes are more common. They are most commonly found in the ‘Hammerhead Triangle’ between Cocos, Galapagos and Malpelo as well as the Red Sea. Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Sphyrna lewini. Sharks are Nearly Extinct in the World's Reefs . Hammerhead Shark Facts for Kids. They are threatened by commercial fishing, mainly for the shark fin trade. The great hammerhead is the largest of the nine identified species of this shark. Sharks can detect weak electrical fields using electrical sense organs called the ampullae of Lorenzini. Hammerhead sharks can grow up to a length of 20 feet and weigh around 1,000 pounds. Hammerheads are usually gray-brown to olive-green on top. West Coast. Today I want to write about an amazing shark with a very strange head, the scalloped hammerhead. 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. Endangered Species Act and has life history characteristics that make this species particularly at risk for local depletion. There are a two proposed uses/advantages to this oddly shaped head. 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. When fully grown, it gets to 6 meters in length (20ft) and weighs 170 kilograms (600 pounds). The Amazing World of Sharks. 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. and Lyle, J.M. The Explorers Club went live on Facebook to do a deep dive on the importance of sharks in our ecosystem. The scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) is listed as globally endangered on the IUCN’s Red List. 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. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 40: 129–146. 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. 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. Tanaka, … Description. The height of the second dorsal fin is less than or equal to the length of the third gill slit. Large scalloped hammerhead sharks will eat other small shark species. The most distinguishing characteristic of this shark is it's "hammer-shaped" head. 05/14/2020. Southeast. Learn more about these interesting creatures below. 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).