What kind of shark is the Carolina hammerhead?

The Carolina hammerhead is a species of hammerhead shark that was described as a new species in 2013.

They are very similar in appearance to the scalloped hammerhead shark and were often mistaken for them. However, genetic analysis revealed that they are a distinct species. They differ from scalloped hammerheads in that their cephalofoil (hammer-shaped head) is smaller and more rounded. They are also slightly grayer in color than scalloped hammerheads. In English, they are called 'Carolina hammerheads' because they were discovered in the waters off the Carolina region on the east coast of the United States. They prefer the shallow coastal waters and feed on fish and crustaceans. They are nocturnal, resting on the seabed during the day and becoming active at night to hunt for food. They are often solitary, but may sometimes form small groups. They are a very rare shark, and much about their ecology remains a mystery.

What are the secrets of the Carolina hammerhead's head shape?

The hammer-shaped head, or 'cephalofoil,' of the Carolina hammerhead is thought to have several functions.

・Wide field of vision: The eyes, located on the cephalofoil, give them a wider field of view than other sharks, helping them to locate prey and avoid predators.

・Enhanced sense of smell: The cephalofoil also acts as an olfactory organ. By swinging their cephalofoil from side to side, they can detect the scent of prey from a wider area.

・Electroreceptors: The cephalofoil contains a high concentration of electroreceptors called 'ampullae of Lorenzini.' These organs can detect the weak electrical fields generated by other organisms, allowing them to find prey hidden in the sand and detect the presence of predators.

・Lift: The cephalofoil acts like an airplane wing, generating lift, which allows them to move through the water with less energy.

・Maneuverability: The cephalofoil also acts as a rudder, enabling them to make quick turns in the water.

It's truly a multifunctional hammer!

[Quiz!] Are Carolina hammerheads endangered?

The Carolina hammerhead is listed as 'Data Deficient' (DD) on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List.

This means that there is not enough information about their ecology and population size to determine their conservation status. They were only recently described as a new species in 2013, so research is still ongoing. However, there are concerns that their numbers may be declining because they are often mistaken for scalloped hammerheads and caught as bycatch. To protect Carolina hammerheads, we need to learn more about them and protect the waters off the east coast of the United States, their habitat.