The Hammerhead Shark
The Hammerhead Shark is an easily recognizable creature with a head shaped like the tool they're named after - a hammer! These spectacular swimmers possess a grey-brown shade on their back and sides, fading to white on their bellies. Found in warm waters around the globe, there are nine different species of Hammerhead Sharks, each varying in size from just a few feet to over 20 feet long!
Hammerhead Shark | |
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Size | Up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) |
Weight | Up to 1,000 pounds (453.6 kilograms) |
Speed | Speed: 25 mph (40 km/hr) |
Key Strength | Powerful bite and strong swimming ability |
Biggest Weakness | Vulnerable to attacks on the sides of its body |
Scientific Name | Sphyrnidae |
Family | Sphyrna |
Habitat | Saltwater |
Geography | Warm waters around the world |
Diet | Stingrays, fish, squid, octopus, crustaceans |
Lifespan | 20 years - 30 years |
The Hammerhead Shark
The Hammerhead Shark is an easily recognizable creature with a head shaped like the tool they're named after - a hammer! These spectacular swimmers possess a grey-brown shade on their back and sides, fading to white on their bellies. Found in warm waters around the globe, there are nine different species of Hammerhead Sharks, each varying in size from just a few feet to over 20 feet long!
Fun Fact: Did you know Hammerhead Sharks move sideways more than other sharks because their wide head acts like a rudder, allowing them to pivot quickly?
Hammerhead Shark | |
---|---|
Size | Up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) |
Weight | Up to 1,000 pounds (453.6 kilograms) |
Speed | Speed: 25 mph (40 km/hr) |
Key Strength | Powerful bite and strong swimming ability |
Biggest Weakness | Vulnerable to attacks on the sides of its body |
Scientific Name | Sphyrnidae |
Family | Sphyrna |
Habitat | Saltwater |
Geography | Warm waters around the world |
Diet | Stingrays, fish, squid, octopus, crustaceans |
Lifespan | 20 years - 30 years |
Fun Fact: The strange, elongated head of a Hammerhead Shark actually provides excellent 360-degree vision, meaning they have an almost complete visual field!
Fun Fact: Despite their fearsome reputation, Hammerhead Sharks are actually mostly harmless to humans and prefer to eat fish, squid, and even other sharks!