HAMMER HEAD SHARK
Hammerhead sharks are consummate predators that use their
oddly shaped heads to improve their ability to find prey. Their wide-set eyes
give them a better visual range than most other sharks. And by spreading their
highly specialized sensory organs over their wide, mallet-shaped head, they can
more thoroughly scan the ocean for food.
Great hammerheads are potentially dangerous, though only
a few shark attacks can be attributed to the great hammerhead because of the
apparent difficulty of distinguishing the large hammerhead species involved in
attacks. Although they are not targeted directly by commercial fisheries,
hammerheads are a bycatch species of tropical longline and drift net fisheries
with highly valued fins. Great hammerhead meat is sold for human consumption
(fresh, fresh-frozen, dried-salted, and smoked), their liver oil for vitamins,
fins for soup, hides for leather, and carcasses for fishmeal.
9 DIFFERENT
SPECIES OF HAMMERHEADS:
1.
Winghead Shark
2.
Scalloped Bonnethead
3.
Whitefin Hammerhead
4.
Scalloped Hammerhead
5.
Scoophead
6.
Great Hammerhead
7.
Bonnethead
8.
Smalleye Hammerhead
9.
Smooth Hammerhead
There are nine different classifications of hammerhead
sharks, but only four are common and abundant: the great hammerhead, scalloped
hammerhead, smooth hammerhead and bonnethead. Out of these four, all but the
bonnethead are considered to be dangerous to humans.The largest of them all is
the Great Hammerhead Shark. When fully grown, it gets to 6 meters in length
(20ft) and weighs 170 kilograms (600 pounds). Most other species only grow to 4
meters (13ft).
LIFE-SPAN:
The lifespan for most Hammerheads is between 25 and 35 years.
It's likely that over time, they are beginning to live longer lives. The reason
for this is currently unknown.
BODY:
The eyes of this shark are placed on the outer edges of
the hammer. This allows them a vertical 360 degree view, which means the Hammer
head shark is able to see both above and below quite easily. Unfortunately,
this eye placement causes a huge blind spot directly in front of their nose!
This fish is well known for its ability to make very
sudden and sharp turns. Not only does the hammer at as an organ of balance, but
its body seems to be specifically designed to twist and bend.Believe it or not,
the Hammerhead has the ability to sport a nice tan! They are one of very few
animals who tan from the sun. This happens to the shark because Hammerheads are
often cruising in shallow water or near the surface for extended periods of
time.
HABITAT:
Hammerhead Sharks love tropical, warm waters from all
over the world. They mostly stay along continental shelves and coastlines, but
on occasion they are found in the deep ocean cruising near the surface.
HUNTING BEHAVIOR:
These sharks are hunters of the night. Compared to other
predators, they have very small mouths. Because of this shortfall, many become
bottom hunters with a preferred prey of rays, shrimps, squids, small fish, and
even other shark species. The Great Hammerhead is feared by smaller Hammerhead
species due to frequent cannibalism. The head acts as a sort of "metal
detector" as it travels over the Ocean floor. Since much of its pray hides
beneath the sandy floor, the Hammerhead traces the sea bed and
"scans" for living creatures it can eat.
CONSERVATION
STATUS & COMMENTS:
Great hammerheads are potentially dangerous, though only
a few shark attacks can be attributed to the great hammerhead because of the
apparent difficulty of distinguishing the large hammerhead species involved in
attacks. Although they are not targeted directly by commercial fisheries,
hammerheads are a bycatch species of tropical longline and drift net fisheries
with highly valued fins. Great hammerhead meat is sold for human consumption
(fresh, fresh-frozen, dried-salted, and smoked), their liver oil for vitamins,
fins for soup, hides for leather, and carcasses for fishmeal.
