The common hammerhead shark belongs to the order Karhariniformes, a class of selachi. Now eight different sizes and shapes of species of hammerhead sharks are known. The largest of them reaches almost 7 meters in length and weighs almost a ton.
Researchers believe the shark uses its “hammer” to improve
maneuverability in vertical waters. It has a slender spindle-shaped body, very flexible and mobile. This fish develops a great speed in the water, and in case of an attack it is difficult to escape from it.
The hammerhead shark, the photo of which you see, is covered with brownish or olive skin on the back and gray-white on the belly. Like all its relatives, the mouth of this fish is “decorated” with sharp, sawtooth teeth. Her golden, eyelid-protected eyes are located on the sides of the nose. This allows the fish to significantly increase peripheral visibility. And the proximity of the eyes to the nose gives particular accuracy for orientation at the location of prey.
It has already been repeatedly observed how the hammerhead shark rushes to a seemingly perfectly smooth bottom and instantly pops up, holding wriggling prey in its mouth, hiding in sand and silt. She preys mainly on squid, small fish and crabs, but she loves stingrays. Therefore, probably, most of these marine animals try to stay closer to the bottom.
This shark is a fish that does not disdain even its relatives. The remains of the bodies of other sharks were repeatedly found in her stomach.
The so-called “hammer” is the shark’s nose, on which there are grooved nostrils along the edge that help the fish catch the faintest odors. Scientists have proven that these creatures are able to sense even minor changes in the chemical composition of water. They are especially attracted by the appearance of blood in it. It was repeatedly noticed how near the harpooned whale or the carelessly injured diver it is not known where sharks came from. Even if a trace of frightened fish is sensed in the water,
predators react to this in a hurry to the scene. Obviously, such a victim identifies special waste products that the shark captures.
In summer, hammerhead fish migrate to cooler waters, and in winter they return closer to the equator. What makes them pack in packs is still unknown. Between themselves, sharks "talk" with body movements and sharp turns of the head. Most of the pack are females. Why is also a mystery.
The hammerhead shark belongs to the class of viviparous. Her litter may contain more than 20 cubs. Pregnancy in the female lasts 11 months, then newborns are born, reaching 60 cm in length. These amazing sharks live 20 years. They are attributed to the oldest fish on the planet. It is believed that this species has existed for almost 40 million years.
Not having an air bubble in the structure of his body, the hammerhead shark is forced to constantly move. This helps her to be always on her guard, so she is hard to catch by surprise. The predator itself dictates the rules and always wins in the struggle for life. But nevertheless, this, unfortunately, does not prevent her from being classified as an endangered species.
For humans, the hammerhead shark is also dangerous. Attacks on swimmers occur, as a rule, during the breeding season, as for this fish go in shallow water, closer to the coast. Like all females, sharks are especially aggressive at this time, so you should not go into the water if your beach does not have a special fence.
The meat of a hammer fish is not very appreciated, since cases of poisoning by it have been recorded. But fins are in great demand. Therefore, the shark is often caught and, having cut off the fins, they are thrown into the water to die.