Smalleye Hammerhead
Smalleye Hammerhead
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Smalleye Hammerhead
In the warm tropical waters of the western Atlantic, lives a small hammerhead known as the smalleye hammerhead. They are one of the smallest hammerhead species, and their ecology is still shrouded in mystery. Let's explore the fascinating world of the smalleye hammerhead!
Smalleye Hammerhead Basic Infomation
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Order | Carcharhiniformes |
| Vernacular Names | Smalleye Hammerhead |
| Class | Chondrichthyes |
| Habitats | Tropical coastal waters of the western Atlantic Ocean |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Taxonomic Status | ACCEPTED |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Genus | Sphyrna |
| Conservation Status | Endangered (EN) |
| Rank | SPECIES |
| Family | Sphyrnidae |
| Scientific Name | Sphyrna tudes |
Size
They can grow to a maximum length of about 5 feet (1.5 meters). They are one of the smallest hammerhead shark species. Females tend to be larger than males.
Lifespan
Their lifespan in the wild is not well known.
Distribution
They are found in the tropical coastal waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, including Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, and Uruguay. They prefer relatively shallow waters, less than 300 feet (90 meters) deep, and are often found in muddy and sandy areas.
Smalleye Hammerhead Q&A
What kind of shark is the smalleye hammerhead?
The smalleye hammerhead is a species of hammerhead shark, as its name suggests, it is known for its small eyes compared to other hammerhead sharks.
In English, they are called 'smalleye hammerheads.' They have a grayish body with a whitish belly. Their cephalofoil (hammer-shaped head) is broad and hammer-shaped, with a gently curved front edge and an indentation in the center. 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 smalleye hammerhead's head shape?
The wide, laterally expanded head, called a 'cephalofoil,' of the smalleye 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!
What do smalleye hammerheads eat?
Smalleye hammerheads are carnivores, mainly feeding on small fish, crustaceans, squid, and octopus.
They are nocturnal, becoming active at night, swimming along the seabed in search of food. They use the 'ampullae of Lorenzini' on their cephalofoil to detect prey hidden in the sand.
[Quiz!] Are smalleye hammerheads endangered?
The smalleye hammerhead is listed as 'Endangered' (EN) on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List.
Their numbers are declining due to overfishing and habitat destruction. To protect smalleye hammerheads, we need to learn more about them. Protecting the tropical coastal waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, their habitat, is also crucial.
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Smalleye Hammerhead Type of List
Characteristics of the Smalleye Hammerhead
- A species of hammerhead shark
- Small eyes
- Broad, hammer-shaped cephalofoil (head)
- Gently curved front edge of the cephalofoil with an indentation in the center
- Grayish body color
- Whitish belly
- Maximum length of about 5 feet (1.5 meters)
- Found in the tropical coastal waters of the western Atlantic Ocean
- Nocturnal
- Often solitary, but may sometimes form small groups
- Endangered (EN)
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Smalleye Hammerhead References
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