Great Hammerhead

ANIMAL:
Great Hammerhead Sphyrna mokarran

Type of Animal:
Hammerhead Shark

Habitat:
Tropical/subtropical/temperate waters, preferring warmer temps: Coastal areas, open ocean, continental shelves, coastlines, semi-oceanic areas, lagoons to 262 ft deep, island terraces, deep water near land, coral reefs, coastal-pelagic areas, found in depths as deep as 984 ft deep, estuaries, intertidal waters, rocky reefs, kelp forest, sandy plains

Location(s):
In W Atlantic from N Carolina to Uruguay (including Gulf of Mexico & Caribbean), E Atlantic from Morocco to Angola, Mediterranean through Red Sea & rims of Indian Ocean into W Pacific as far north as S Japan, also found around New Caledonia & French Polynesia as well as Australia, in E Pacific occurs from S Baja California to Peru

Appearance:
Largest hammerhead species, tall sickle shape first dorsal fin, streamlined body, dark brown to light gray to olive on top, white underside

Food/Diet:
Rays, octopus, squid, crabs, lobsters, other sharks (including smaller members of own species), skates, tarpon, sardines, sea catfish, grunts, jacks, toadfish, porgies, groupers, flatfishes, boxfish, porcupinefish, herring, guitarfish, pinnipeds

Status in Wild:
Endangered

Conservation:
Shark finning bans in parts of range, research on migration sites

Lifestyle:
Solitary or small schools
 
Additional Info:

Called:
Male
Female
Young-Pup
Group-School
 
Weight:
Male: 110-520 lbs
Female: 90-1000 lbs
 
Gestation:
11 months 

Life Span:
20-30 years

Body Length:
Male: 7.55-9.84 ft
Female: 8.2-17 ft
Young: 4 ft

Tail Length:
Male: 3.775-4.92 ft
Female: 4.1-8.5 ft
Young: 2 ft

Main predators of adults are killer whales/orcas, tiger sharks, & great whites. Many larger sharks (including adults of own species) prey on young/juveniles/even sub-adults.
 
These sharks viviparous w/ fertilized eggs hatching while still in uterus. This results in live birth.
 
Endangered due to low reproductive rate (many females only reproduce every other year), overfishing for fins/meat/liver oil/hide, accidental bycatch, entanglement in nets, & water pollution.
 
While slow breeders, females can have litters of 10-55 pups.
 
Tend to be migratory.
 
Sexually mature at 5-9 years old.
 
To catch stingrays, they’ll use side of hammer shape head to pin them down.
 
Typically hunt at dawn & dusk.

Fun Fact(s):
Rare in captivity due to large size & risk of injuring hammer-shaped head.
 
These sharks potentially dangerous due to large size & sharp teeth. However, they’re not usually aggressive towards humans but can be inquisitive.
 
Highly likely immune to stingray & catfish venom. Barbs have been seen sticking out of their mouths.

1 thought on “Great Hammerhead

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