Hammerhead Sharks
Hammerhead and bonnethead sharks are the members of the Sphyrnidae family. They are found in tropical and warm-temperate areas around the world. They are easily recognized by having their eyes at the lateral ends of their unique 'hammer-shaped' heads, which may increase their vision. Hammerhead sharks are voracious predators, feeding mainly on fishes, sharks, rays, and bottom-dwelling animals. There are 2 genera and about 10 species worldwide.
Scientific Name: Sphyrna lewini (Griffith & Smith, 1834)
English Name: Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, Kidney-headed Shark
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 双髻鲨 (Shuāng jì shā)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Yu Sanggul Lintang, Yu Palang, Yu-tukul Sanggul
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาฉลามหัวค้อนสีเงิน (Plā c̄hlām h̄ạw kĥxn s̄ī ngein)
Main Identification Features: Second dorsal fin small. Pelvic fins with a nearly straight posterior margin. Pectoral fins tipped grey or black. Nostrils with strong prenarial grooves. Hind margins of eyes slightly posterior to or nearly opposite front of mouth.
Size: Maximum total length about 4.2 m; commonly to 3.6 m.
Habitat and Ecology: Pelagic, coastal and semi-oceanic waters, to 1,043 m depth, but usually to 275 m depth. Adults solitary, in pairs, or in schools while the young form huge schools. Adults spend most of the time offshore in midwater while juveniles school in coastal areas. Feeds on a wide variety of preys including pelagic fishes, other sharks and rays, cephalopods, and crustaceans.
Remarks: Critically Endangered (2019 Status).
English Name: Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, Kidney-headed Shark
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 双髻鲨 (Shuāng jì shā)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Yu Sanggul Lintang, Yu Palang, Yu-tukul Sanggul
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาฉลามหัวค้อนสีเงิน (Plā c̄hlām h̄ạw kĥxn s̄ī ngein)
Main Identification Features: Second dorsal fin small. Pelvic fins with a nearly straight posterior margin. Pectoral fins tipped grey or black. Nostrils with strong prenarial grooves. Hind margins of eyes slightly posterior to or nearly opposite front of mouth.
Size: Maximum total length about 4.2 m; commonly to 3.6 m.
Habitat and Ecology: Pelagic, coastal and semi-oceanic waters, to 1,043 m depth, but usually to 275 m depth. Adults solitary, in pairs, or in schools while the young form huge schools. Adults spend most of the time offshore in midwater while juveniles school in coastal areas. Feeds on a wide variety of preys including pelagic fishes, other sharks and rays, cephalopods, and crustaceans.
Remarks: Critically Endangered (2019 Status).
