What kind of shark is the scalloped hammerhead shark?

The scalloped hammerhead shark is a species of hammerhead shark, known for its unique hammer-shaped head. Their head is laterally expanded, with eyes and nostrils located at the tips.

This hammer-shaped head is called a 'cephalofoil.' In English, they are called 'scalloped hammerhead sharks.' 'Scalloped' refers to the gently curved front edge of their cephalofoil.

What is the purpose of the scalloped hammerhead shark's hammer-shaped head?

The scalloped hammerhead shark's cephalofoil is a remarkable adaptation that helps them thrive in the ocean.

・Wide field of vision: Their eyes are located on the cephalofoil, giving them a wider field of vision than other sharks, which helps 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, helping them find prey hidden in the sand and detect predators.

・Lift: The cephalofoil acts like an airplane wing, generating lift, allowing 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!

What do scalloped hammerhead sharks eat?

Scalloped hammerhead sharks are carnivores and their diet primarily consists of fish, squid, octopus, and crustaceans. They use the 'ampullae of Lorenzini' in their cephalofoil to locate stingrays buried in the sand.

When they find a stingray, they pin it to the seabed using their cephalofoil and use their sharp teeth to bite and kill it. They are known to have a preference for stingrays. They also eat other types of fish and smaller sharks, and occasionally, seabirds. They are voracious hunters and have even been known to cannibalize each other.

[Quiz!] How do scalloped hammerhead sharks reproduce?

Scalloped hammerhead sharks reproduce through a method called 'ovoviviparity.' This means that the eggs hatch inside the mother's body, and the pups are born live.

Females give birth to 15 to 31 pups at a time. The pups are about 20 to 24 inches (50 to 60 cm) long at birth and can swim immediately. They take about 10 years to reach adult size.

[Quiz!] Do scalloped hammerhead sharks form schools?

Young scalloped hammerhead sharks are known to form large schools of hundreds of individuals.

They swim and hunt together in these schools. However, as they mature, they tend to become more solitary. The reason why young individuals form schools is not yet fully understood, but it is thought to be a defense mechanism against predators or a strategy for finding food more efficiently.

[Quiz!] Are scalloped hammerhead sharks endangered?

Unfortunately, scalloped hammerhead sharks are listed as 'Critically Endangered' on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List.

Their population has declined sharply due to overfishing, shark finning, and bycatch. To protect scalloped hammerhead sharks, it is crucial to regulate overfishing, ban shark finning, and reduce bycatch. It is also essential for each of us to be aware of shark conservation.