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Hammerhead Shark

✨ The Living Radar

The hammerhead shark is a group of sharks recognized by the unusual shape of its head, which extends sideways like a hammer. This distinctive feature gives it a wide field of vision and helps it detect prey more effectively. Hammerhead sharks live in warm coastal waters and open oceans around the world, depending on the species.

Their bodies are adapted for life in the sea, with a powerful tail that allows them to swim efficiently. Like other sharks, they have a skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone and replace their teeth throughout their lives. Hammerhead sharks feed mainly on fish, squid, and crustaceans.

The wide shape of their head, called a cephalofoil, may help them locate prey hidden in the sand by improving their ability to detect electrical signals produced by other animals. Some species gather in large groups during the day and become more solitary when hunting.

Despite their appearance, hammerhead sharks are generally not aggressive toward humans. However, many populations are threatened by fishing pressure because their fins are highly valued in some markets. Protecting these sharks is important for maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems.

💡 Did you know?

Thanks to its hammer-shaped head, this shark possesses incredible panoramic vision. Its eyes are located at the very end of its head, which allows it to look above, below, and even behind it at the same time without moving! It possesses a 360-degree field of vision.

Imagine that you are a fish hidden under the sand, motionless. The hammerhead shark will still find you! Its head is covered with thousands of small sensors (the ampullae of Lorenzini) that act like an ultra-powerful metal detector to spot the beating of your heart.

The hammer isn't just for seeing; it's also an underwater wing! By tilting its head, the hammerhead shark can change direction much faster than any other shark. That's what makes it so hard for a predator to catch.