Hammerhead Shark
By Emily Boswell
Habitat
Hammerhead sharks live in the temperate and tropical waters all around the world. Most commonly, they are found in warm coastal water. They usually stay in deep water but occasionally they will come up to the shoreline.
Interesting Facts
Hammerhead's use their spread apart eyes to detect prey easier. They also use their wide heads to pin down stingrays to the ocean floor. These magnificent fish can grow up to 20 feet, and weigh 1,000 pounds. The average hammerhead lives to be 20-30 years old.
Endangered Status
Two types of hammerheads called the squat-headed shark and the scalloped-headed shark are currently endangered; though these are the only two species that are at risk of becoming extinct.
Diet
Hammerheads are carnivores. They love all different kinds of fish, but their favorite "snack" is the stingray.
Hammerhead Shark
Dorsal angle
Hammerhead Shark
Front angle
Hammerhead Shark
Ventral angle
Movement
Their dorsal fin and two fins on the sides help them swim efficiently. In summer they migrate to cooler water, but for the most part they stay in the warmer areas.
Classification Order
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Carcharhiniformes
Family: Sphyrnidae
Genus: Sphyrna
Social
Hammerheads stay in herds by day, but at night they hunt by themselves. They do not stay with same mate their whole lives, but mate with the other sharks in the school.
Relatives
They are related to all other non-boney fish; including stingrays and all other sharks.