Smooth Hammerhead Shark
Smooth Hammerhead Shark
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Smooth Hammerhead Shark
The smooth hammerhead shark, a wise traveler of the hammerhead family, journeys across the world's oceans. What secrets lie within its sleek, hammer-shaped head? Let's explore the ecology of the smooth hammerhead shark and the threats they face.
Smooth Hammerhead Shark Basic Infomation
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Order | Carcharhiniformes |
| Vernacular Names | Smooth Hammerhead Shark |
| Class | Chondrichthyes |
| Habitats | Temperate coastal waters worldwide |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Descriptions | The smooth hammerhead shark is known for its smooth head and wide distribution, inhabiting temperate coastal waters and continental shelves. |
| Rank | SPECIES |
| Genus | Sphyrna |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable |
| Family | Sphyrnidae |
| Taxonomic Status | ACCEPTED |
| Scientific Name | Sphyrna zygaena |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
Size
Smooth hammerhead sharks can grow to 8 to 12 feet (2.5 to 3.5 meters) long, with a maximum length of 16 feet (5 meters) and weight of 880 pounds (400 kilograms)! Females tend to be larger than males.
Lifespan
Their lifespan is estimated to be about 20 to 30 years.
Distribution
They are widely distributed in temperate coastal waters around the world, including the North Atlantic, Indian Ocean, western Pacific Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea. They are found in various locations in Japan, south of Hokkaido.
Smooth Hammerhead Shark Q&A
What kind of shark is the smooth hammerhead shark?
The smooth hammerhead shark is a species of hammerhead shark, and the second largest after the great hammerhead. They are easily recognized by their unique, hammer-shaped head, called a 'cephalofoil.'
The cephalofoil is laterally expanded, with eyes and nostrils located at the tips. In English, they are called 'smooth hammerhead sharks.' The word 'smooth' refers to the smooth, curved front edge of their cephalofoil, which distinguishes them from other hammerhead sharks.
What is the purpose of the smooth hammerhead shark's hammer-shaped head?
The smooth 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 weak electrical fields generated by other organisms, helping them to 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 a truly multifunctional hammer!
What do smooth hammerhead sharks eat?
Smooth hammerhead sharks are carnivores, mainly feeding on fish, stingrays, squid, 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.
[Quiz!] How do smooth hammerhead sharks reproduce?
Smooth hammerhead sharks reproduce through a method called 'viviparity,' where they give birth to live young after developing inside their mother's body. The gestation period is about 10 to 11 months, and females give birth to 20 to 40 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 to 12 years to reach adult size.
[Quiz!] Are smooth hammerhead sharks dangerous to humans?
Smooth hammerhead sharks can attack humans. They are considered dangerous due to their large size and powerful jaws.
However, they do not actively hunt humans. Most attacks occur when humans enter their territory or provoke them. If you encounter a smooth hammerhead shark, do not approach or touch it, and calmly leave the area.
[Quiz!] Are smooth hammerhead sharks endangered?
Unfortunately, smooth hammerhead sharks are listed as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List. Their population is declining due to overfishing, shark finning, and bycatch.
To protect smooth 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.
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Smooth Hammerhead Shark Type of List
Efforts to Protect Smooth Hammerhead Sharks
- Strengthening fishing regulations
- Banning shark finning
- Reducing bycatch
- Establishing marine protected areas
- Raising awareness
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Smooth Hammerhead Shark References
Smooth Hammerhead Shark Introduction of media used
Commander John Bortniak, NOAA Corps, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
NOAA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
NMFS-PIRO Observer Program, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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