The scientific name is Sphyrna mokarran, commonly known as the hammerhead shark. Its distinctive hammer-shaped head is likely an adaptation that aids in detecting prey more effectively: as they swim, the sensory organs located on their heads come into contact with more water. Additionally, this unique head shape helps the shark detect weak electromagnetic fields emitted by animals buried under the sand. Some scientists even believe that the Sphyrna mokarran has this head shape to enhance its observational abilities.
They are found in all tropical oceans around the world, both in deep and shallow waters. Weighing between 400-460 kg and measuring 4-6 meters in length, they possess an olive green or brownish-gray body with a white underside. Their teeth are triangular with unusual serrated edges, angled towards the corners of their mouths.
Interestingly, they prefer to hunt in the upper water column or near the seabed, primarily during the night. Hammerhead sharks mainly feed on stingrays (including venomous stingrays, which pose no threat to them), smaller sharks, and various other fish species.
The Sphyrna mokarran is ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth to live young rather than laying eggs, with each litter consisting of approximately 20-40 pups. The pups are born in the summer and measure about 70 cm in length.
There are many noteworthy aspects of their reproduction: larger female hammerheads tend to give birth to more pups in each litter. The newborns are miniature replicas of their parents; as soon as they are born, they swim away and are self-sufficient, not lingering around their mother for support.
The heads of newborns are even rounder than those of adults, but their head shape gradually changes as they grow. Hammerhead sharks reach maturity at around 3 meters in length.
They also have a tendency to gather in large schools, yet it remains unclear why they form such large groups.
Hammerhead sharks are formidable predators, even posing a threat to humans, as they are known to venture close to shore, into bays, and river mouths in search of food. However, they typically only attack humans when provoked. Humans often fish for them recreationally and harvest their skins for leather products.
