Hammerhead shark
The Hammerhead shark is a member of the Shark family (order Lamniformes, family Sphyrnidae, genus Sphyrna). (The only other genus of Sphyrnidae, Eusphyra contains only one species, E. blochii, the winghead shark). Species of hammerhead range from 2-6 m long; projections on both sides of the head give these sharks a resemblance to a flattened hammer. The shark's eyes and nostrils are at the tips of the extensions. It is an aggressive predator that eats fish, rays and other sharks, cephalopods, and crustaceans. It is found in warmer waters along coastlines and continental shelves.
Of the eight species of hammerhead, three can be dangerous to humans - the scalloped, great and smooth hammerheads.
- Genus Sphyrna
- Subgenus Sphyrna
- Species: lewini (scalloped), mokarran (great), zygaena (smooth)
- Species: lewini (scalloped), mokarran (great), zygaena (smooth)
- Subgenus Mesozygaena
- Species: corona (scalloped bonnethead)
- Species: corona (scalloped bonnethead)
- Subgenus Platysqualus
- Species: media (scoophead), tiburo (bonnethead), tudes (smalleye).