Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna zygaena)

In the Northeast Atlantic Ocean, 89% of hammerhead sharks and 80% of thresher and white sharks have disappeared in the last 18 years as a result of bycatch. Hammerhead shark, Fiji.
In the Northeast Atlantic Ocean, 89% of hammerhead sharks and 80% of thresher and white sharks have disappeared in the last 18 years as a result of bycatch. Hammerhead shark, Fiji.
© WWF-Canon / Cat Holloway

Shark head which resembles a hammer

Hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna zygaena) have a curiously flattened head which resembles a hammer. It is thought the flat head gives the Hammerhead shark lift when swimming.

The width across the head (from eye to eye) is about 1m and the body length ranges from 2-6m. Hammerheads live in shallow tropical and warm temperate waters and are swift and vigorous swimmers. They eat crabs, barnacles, fishes, squids, small sharks and sting rays. The females bear live pups.

They are aggressive predators which eat fish, rays, other sharks, cephalopods, and crustaceans. They are found in warmer waters along coastlines and continental shelves.




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