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Hammerhead
Shark World
Record
~ 991 Lbs Caught at
Sarasota, FL on May 30, 1982 by angler Allen Ogle Scientific
name
~ Sphyrna Mokarran Other
names
~ Great Hammerhead, Great Hammerhead Shark, and Squat-headed Hammerhead
Shark Identification
~ The dorsal side of the great hammerhead is dark brown to light gray or
even olive in color fading to white on the underside. The fins lack
markings in adults while the apex of the second dorsal fin may appear
dusky in juveniles. The Great Hammerhead is a very large shark with the
characteristic hammer-shaped head from which it gets its common name.
The font margin of the head is nearly straight with a shallow notch in
the center in adult Great Hammerheads. Size
~ As the largest of the
Hammerheads, the Great Hammerhead averages over 500 pounds. The largest
reported length of a great hammerhead is 20 feet. Expected life span of
this species is approximately 20-30 years of age. These Sharks are
exceptionally strong and can make fast long runs. They fight hard and
thrash about. Habitat
~ The Great Hammerhead is found worldwide in coastal warm temperate and
tropical waters within 40°N - 37°S latitude. This large
coastal/semi-oceanic shark is found far offshore to depths of 900 feet
as well as in shallow coastal areas such as over continental shelves and
lagoons. The great hammerhead migrates seasonally, moving poleward to
cooler waters during the summer months. Feeding
Habits
~ Great hammerheads are active predators, preying upon a wide variety of
marine organisms, from invertebrates to bony fishes and sharks. A
favorite prey item is the stingray, which is consumed along with the
tail spine! Invertebrate prey include crabs, squid, octopus, and
lobsters while commonly consumed bony fish are groupers, catfishes,
jacks, grunts, and flatfishes.
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