Hammerhead shark Facts
Hammerhead shark is probably the weirdest type of sharks. There are nine species of
hammerhead sharks that inhabit all oceans of the world. Hammerhead sharks can be found
both in deep and shallow waters. Out of nine species, two are listed as endangered (great
hammerhead and scalloped hammerhead) and one as vulnerable (golden hammerhead)
species. People pose the greatest threat for the survival of the hammerhead sharks. They hunt
hammerhead shark because of the fins that are served as delicacy in certain parts of the world.
After the fins are removed, sharks are returned into the ocean. Sharks without fins cannot swim
and they are dying in agony.
Interesting Hammerhead shark Facts:
Size of the hammerhead shark depends on the species. They can reach 3 to 20 feet in length
and up to 1000 pounds in weight.
Hammerhead sharks have white bellies and olive green or grey-brownish back.
Mouth of hammerhead sharks is located on the underside of the head. It is equipped with
sharp, triangular and serrated teeth.
The most pronounced feature on the hammerhead shark is its head. Hammerhead sharks get
their name after specific shape of the head that looks like a flat hammer.
Shape of the head facilitates search for the prey. Their head acts like a metal detector which
cruises near the bottom of the sea and detects stingrays hidden in the sand.
Besides stingrays, hammerhead sharks eat different types of fish, crabs, lobsters and squids.
Visual field of hammerhead sharks is 360 degrees because their eyes are located on the end
sides of the wide head. They can see above and below their bodies, but they are almost blind in
front of their nose.
Just like other sharks, hammerhead sharks have special organ which detects electrical signals
emitted by living creatures in the water. That way, hammerhead can find a prey even in the
murky water.
Hammerhead sharks are rare marine creatures that can get nice tan after spending a lot of time
in the shallow waters.
Hammerhead sharks can swim at speed of 25 miles per hour. They are known to be very agile
creatures that are able to quickly turn and twist their bodies.
Hammerhead sharks live in groups called schools. They usually consist of 10 to 20 animals.
Out of nine species of hammerhead sharks, only three are known as aggressive. But, attacks to
humans are extremely rare.
Hammerhead sharks are viviparous animals. That means that female gives birth to live sharks.
Depending on the species, litter size varies from 12 to 40 young hammerhead sharks.
Young hammerheads have more rounded heads than their parents. They are easy prey to the
larger species of sharks and orcas until they reach the adult size.
Hammerhead sharks can survive between 20 and 30 years in the wild.