Is the giant hammerhead shark dangerous to humans? Hammerhead shark: photo, description, nutrition and reproduction, entertaining facts Hammerhead shark brief description

Giant fish are not uncommon in modern times. The hammerhead shark is considered one of them, since its body length can reach 6 m. It lives in warm ocean waters and prefers tropical climate. The front facial edge of this animal is straight, and the dorsal fin is sickle-shaped. The fish leads a solitary lifestyle and preys on cartilaginous and cephalopod fish.

The hammerhead shark is a large fish and leads a solitary lifestyle.

Shark classification

The hammerhead family includes several main species. Classic representatives are common and big-headed . The list also includes sharks:

• West African;
• large-headed;
• bronze;
• Panamanian;
• Caribbean;
• gigantic.

The giant hammerhead shark is considered the most aggressive, fast and maneuverable due to which it represents great danger for your neighbors sea ​​waters. The length of its body varies from 4 to 6 m, but some specimens reach 8 m. Predators were able to take root well in the warm waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. They prefer to stay in packs. They can be found near underwater rocks. The largest groups gather at midday and disperse at night until the next morning.

The giant hammerhead shark is considered the most aggressive, fastest and most maneuverable shark.

It is noteworthy that predators can live both at impressive depths and at the very surface of the water. They like Coral reefs, sometimes they allow themselves to swim into the lagoon and scare people walking nearby. The largest concentration of predators is concentrated near the Hawaiian Islands. Nearby is the Institute of Marine Biology, where important Scientific research, dedicated to hammerhead fishes.

External signs

The head has lateral projections. Their entire area is covered with particularly sensitive cells. They are necessary for the shark to receive signals from nearby living organisms. A predator can catch even a fairly weak impulse without any problems. The layer of sand is not a serious obstacle for her, and therefore the victim cannot hide in its thickness. Until recently, it was believed that the unusual shape of the head was designed to maintain the balance of the fish. But it turned out that this stability is ensured by the special shape of the spine.

The lateral growths are located opposite each other. Here are located big eyes rounded shape. Their features:

• golden color of the iris;
• the presence of a nictitating membrane and eyelids;
• non-standard arrangement, due to which the predator has a 350-degree view.

We can say that this animal has everything necessary tools to detect the enemy. They are visual and sensory. In counteracting the enemy, the hammerhead shark also uses sharp, smooth teeth. They have a triangular shape, are distinguished by a peculiar slope and invisible notches.

Hammerhead shark - fish, a fish that is well oriented in space. She manages to amazingly capture the Earth's magnetic field, so the fish does not stray from the intended course. The body is dark gray or brown above and white below.

Features of reproduction

These are viviparous fish. During mating, the male sinks his teeth into the body of his partner. It takes 11 months to bear a baby. Usually, from 20 to 55 babies are born, with a length of 40 to 50 cm. Nature made sure that the female was not injured during childbirth. To do this, the cubs' head is located not across, but along the body. As soon as they get out of the womb, the fish begin to move actively. Maneuverability and speed of response allow them to escape from possible enemies. Often their role is played by other sharks.

What does a predator eat?

Hammerhead sharks like to feast on squid, crabs and octopus. Their diet also consists of:

• sea ​​bass;
• dusky sharks;
• hedgehog fish;
• croaker;
• sea ​​crucian;
• horse mackerel.

But their favorite type of food is stingrays. To catch prey, the predator leaves its lair in the morning or after sunset. At this time, he swims at the very bottom and waves his head. He does this on purpose to stir up the stingray. Having discovered the victim, the shark hits its body with its head. This is followed by a bite that makes you unable to resist.

A shark tears a stingray apart. Surprisingly, the toxic spines that cover the body of these creatures do not pose a danger to sharks. One day, a shark was discovered off the coast of Florida with about 90 of these spines in its mouth. Often these fish become prey for local fishermen, as they get caught on baited hooks.

An interesting fact is that the hammerhead shark can exchange signals with its fellows. She transmits information about 10 different situations that may occur. Most often these are warning signals.

Relationship with a person

In Hawaii, sharks are held in high esteem; they are treated almost like deities. Aborigines believe that the hammerhead fish protects people and creatures inhabiting the ocean waters. Some even think that the souls of deceased relatives live in these fish. But, sadly, it is here, on the islands, that cases of shark attacks on humans are most often recorded. Most of all it goes to tourists who like to swim in shallow water.

The fact is that this is where female fish breed their offspring. During this period, individuals can be quite aggressive.

For humans, the hammerhead shark is not dangerous if it does not violate its boundaries and does not pose a threat to its offspring. She does not see a person as a source of food, and therefore will never specifically attack him. However, her character is unpredictable, and therefore any action can push her to attack. Experts say you should avoid:

• sharp swings of legs and arms;
• rapid turns to the sides.

For humans, the hammerhead shark is not dangerous if it does not violate its boundaries and does not pose a threat to its offspring.

If you have to swim away from a predator, you need to do it very slowly and in an upward direction. This way you will avoid attracting the attention of a predator. The most dangerous varieties today are:

• gigantic;
• ordinary;
• bronze.

In a fight between sharks and people, the latter often win. People have learned to extract shark oil, which is used to treat diseases. Gourmets like to eat these fish, including making world-famous fin soup.

This often results in thousands of animals being killed. For this reason, large-headed hammerhead fish are at risk. She was declared an endangered species.

Hammerhead shark family / Sphyrnidae

The hammerhead shark family includes 2 genera with seven species. Hammerhead sharks are closely related to gray sharks, but differ from them, as well as from all other fish, in their unique head shape. It is strongly flattened from top to bottom and has two large outgrowths on the sides, on the outer edges of which the eyes are located, and slightly away from them - big nostrils. If you look at the head of such a shark from above, it really strongly resembles a hammer or sledgehammer. This shape of the front part of the body apparently makes it easier for the shark to maneuver in a vertical plane, and the widely spaced nasal openings give the hammerhead shark the ability to more accurately orient itself in relation to the source of a particular smell. All of them have a predominantly tropical distribution. Hammerhead sharks are fast and strong swimmers, found equally in coastal strip and in open waters. They often even enter brackish waters. The food of hammerhead sharks consists of a variety of bottom invertebrates (shrimp, crabs, clams), fish (herring, mackerel), and squid. In the stomachs of large individuals, stingrays are most often found (more than 50 were found in the stomach walls of one specimen). tail spines stingrays) and sharks, including their fellow species. There is a known case when a caught giant shark The hammerhead, about 4 m long, was only partially pulled out of the water when an even larger representative of the same species attacked the suspended shark and bit off its entire tail part down to the pelvic fins. Hammerhead sharks reproduce by ovoviviparity or viviparity. In different species, a female brings from 6-9 to 30-40 cubs per birth, and newborn sharks, similar in all proportions to adults, have a length of 45-50 cm. Large hammerhead sharks pose a significant danger to people in the water. Parts were found in their stomachs human body, and many attacks that occurred in front of numerous spectators have documented evidence. One such attack took place on a crowded beach off the coast of Florida, just 60 meters from the shore. The girl who was attacked was seriously injured, but was pulled out of the water by the lifeguard on duty. At the same time, the hammerhead shark accompanied its escaped prey all the way to the shore. The commercial importance of hammerhead sharks is insignificant, but in some areas they are caught for meat, skin and liver oil. Hammerhead sharks, which offer stubborn resistance when caught, are also considered very honorable trophies for marine fishermen.

Hammerhead shark /Sphyrna zygaena

Hammerhead shark / Sphyrna mokarran

The giant hammerhead shark is the largest member of the family - reaching 4.5 and even 6 m in length. It is widespread in the tropical waters of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans, but does not reach high numbers anywhere. OtherHammerhead sharks are smaller - up to 3.5-4.2 m and weigh about 450 kg.

One of the most amazing inhabitants of the underwater depths is the hammerhead fish. Although it may seem harmless, in fact this predator poses a danger even to humans.

Family Hammerheads

Scientists know nine species of hammerhead sharks, differing in color, size, head shape and the waters in which they live. This whole family is divided into two genera: Eusphyra and Sphyrna. In the first group there is only one representative - the wing-headed shark. Her “hammer” is equal in size to almost half of her body, and the width of her head differs from other representatives of this family. There are eight more “sisters” in the second group, the largest of which can reach 6 meters. This entire family is related to felids, mustelids and gray sharks.

Appearance

Many people are attracted by the way the hammerhead fish looks. The body of the predator is practically no different from the shark we are used to. It has a streamlined shape, and the color varies depending on the genus. Basically, the back is dark (gray, brown), and the belly is light. But it is the head that is of particular interest. Its shape is T-shaped. The structure of the head itself depends on the “breed” of the predator; it can be large or, conversely, small in size. But the main thing is that each individual has a unique shape, which is why it is called a hammerhead fish. The photo can be seen below. The eyes are located at the ends of the “processes” of the head. These fish are able to see 360 ​​degrees. It is interesting that in these predators the vision depends on the latitude of the “hammer”. The larger it is, the better the area in front of it is visible.

What does it eat?

The hammerhead is a predator that feeds on other fish, shellfish, skates and crayfish. It is known that these sharks are not afraid even of stingrays, so their diet may include these underwater inhabitants. This fish has a very flexible body, which allows it to make deft maneuvers without giving the prey a chance to break away. In addition, powerful fins give the fish speed. The shape of the head serves as a kind of stabilizer when moving. All these characteristics make the hammerhead shark a winner in fights, even with an opponent that is larger than it. In addition, agility allows her to attack not only predatory fish, but also on mammals.

Although the hammerhead is a fearless hunter, it is a lazy fish. Therefore, some sailors noticed how schools of these sharks followed huge ships for several days, feeding on waste that people threw overboard.

Danger to humans

Looking at the small mouth of a hammerhead shark located at the bottom of its head, you can hardly say that it poses a danger to humans. Of course, this predator does not specifically hunt people, but still it is in third place in the number of attacks on vacationers. The fact is that hammerhead fish become very aggressive during the breeding season, and to breed young they swim to warm waters off the coast. It is in these places that holidaymakers usually relax. In a fight with this creature, a person never remains victorious.

But hammerhead sharks also become victims of people because they are valuable product fishing industry. The fins, liver and meat of the predator are highly valued in cooking. These parts are very tasty and are in huge demand. The remains are ground into flour, from which fish products are prepared. In addition, shark skin is no less valuable.

Reproduction

The shape of the head is not the only thing that attracts hammerhead fish. The description of how these predators reproduce is also surprising. They are viviparous, while other fish spawn. Mothers carry their young in much the same way as mammals. At birth, the baby’s “hammer” is turned towards the body in order to be born without difficulty. Gradually, the head of the fish becomes like that of adults.

At one time, a mother can bring from 15 to 30 babies, who are already “taught” to swim well. The length of each reaches approximately half a meter. But after a few months they become one meter tall and show aggression, like all adults.

Habitats

These sharks prefer to be in temperate and warm waters. They can be found in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. While the fish is still young, it stays in shallow water or at the bottom of bays. In these places it is easier for them to acquire the skill of a hunter. Growing up, they go deep-sea diving.

The common hammerhead shark belongs to the family of hammerhead sharks of the order Carchariformes class cartilaginous fish- like the rest of her relatives. It was first described in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus, a famous naturalist from Sweden. It is also called the smooth hammerhead shark or the common hammerfish.

Smooth - because it does not have a depression in the outer edge of the “hammer”, characteristic of other types, due to which it is shaped like a bow. Currently, eight species of hammerhead sharks are known to science, these are the hammerfish - roundhead, West African, Panamo-Caribbean, bronze and smallhead, as well as hammerhead sharks - giant, smalleye giant and common.

The basking hammerhead shark Sphyrna mokarran is found in the tropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans, but does not reach large numbers, reaching a length of six meters.

The small-eyed basking shark Scalloped Hammerhead is found in the Eastern and Western Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, its length does not exceed 4.5 meters. The common hammerhead shark is similar to the giant shark in almost every way except its length.

Of the entire family, this species has the widest habitat - it can be found in almost all oceans except the North Arctic Ocean and waters tropical zone. It is difficult to determine the exact boundaries of the hammerhead shark’s habitat due to its strong similarity to other species of hammerhead sharks.

As a rule, it stays closer to the surface at a depth of less than twenty meters - but there have been recorded cases of encountering it at depths of up to 200m. This species prefers coastal waters, but it can also be found in the open ocean, and even sometimes in fresh waters rec.

In summer, the hammerhead shark migrates to the poles, where it is cooler, and in winter it returns to the equator.

It is the second largest hammerhead shark - the basking hammerhead comes first. The length of an ordinary hammerhead shark is within 3.5 m. The largest length of this species encountered by people is 5 m, and its weight is 400 kg.

It is distinguished from other hammerhead sharks by the shape of its head - its “hammer” is curved along the front edge, and there is no notch in the center; it is quite wide and short, making up about 29% of the body length in diameter.

The “hammer” is actually its large and flat nose, on which the nostrils are located - closer to the edges of the “hammer”, long grooves go from them along the entire edge right to the center - they help the hammerhead fish to catch odors. Scientists believe that the shark uses this “hammer” as a rudder.

Its eyes are located on the sides of the “hammer”; they are large, golden-yellow and protected by eyelids. Five small gill slits, the last located above the pectoral fin.

There are up to 32 rows of teeth in the upper jaw and up to 30 rows of teeth in the lower jaw. Teeth triangular shape, slanted towards the corners of the mouth. The shark's body is streamlined, the body is covered with placoid scales with sharp edges, like most sharks. The skin color is dark brown or olive, the belly is white.

The tips of the fins may be darker. The pectoral fins and the first dorsal fin have a strongly pointed shape. There are two dorsal fins in total - the large triangular first dorsal fin is located immediately behind the pectoral fin, and the second dorsal fin is relatively small and has a sharp, seemingly elongated posterior edge.

Anal fin slightly larger than the second dorsal fin. The triangular pectoral fins are 2/3 the length of the hammerhead shark's head. Her body is slender, spindle-shaped and very flexible. The hammerhead shark is an excellent swimmer; it can reach considerable speed and maneuvers well.

As a rule, the common hammerhead shark lives alone or in small schools. During migration they may gather large quantities- up to hundreds and even thousands of individuals. Their young are preyed upon by larger sharks, for example, the dusky shark Carcharhinus obscurus. And in New Zealand waters, adults can become the target of attack by a pod of killer whales.

The hammerhead fish, or common hammerhead shark, is a very active predator. Its diet is very varied - stingrays, bony fish and sharks, even relatives, and at worst cephalopods, crabs and shrimp. Flounder and stingrays are her favorite delicacy, which is why she prefers muddy bottoms most of all.

Its prey will not be saved by burying itself in the mud - after all, with its unusual head, the hammerhead shark catches electric fields, which her victims generate - sometimes she rushes onto seemingly empty ground and triumphantly pulls out her prey.

Even stingray scans do not scare her; many of their poisonous spines are found in the stomachs of hammerhead sharks. Most likely, the common hammerhead shark has a strong immunity to the venom of stingrays, which allows it to eat them without hindrance. She is also not afraid of her relatives and more large sharks, and on occasion will devour them too.

The hammerhead shark is viviparous; its litter can contain 20 or more sharks. Pregnancy lasts up to 11 months, newborns can be up to 61cm long. Embryos are connected to the mother's body through the placenta. Females become sexually mature when they reach a length of 2.7 meters, and males - 2.1-2.5 meters.

The lifespan of the common hammerhead shark is 20 years. This is one of ancient fish According to scientists, this species has existed on the planet for about 25 million years. It outnumbers many other species of hammerhead sharks. She looks terrifying. Everyone who saw her considers her the most scary fish in the ocean. Its description can be found on the pages of Jules Verne's novels.

This shark is potentially dangerous to humans, among the most dangerous predators it ranks third - after white and tiger sharks. Cases of hammerhead shark attacks on humans have been recorded, some with fatal consequences, and a human torso was found in the stomach of one of them. As a rule, cases of attacks become more frequent during the breeding season, because for this it goes into coastal waters, so beloved by swimmers, and popular beach places.

Therefore, you should never enter the water unless the beach is fenced with anti-shark nets. Another reason for shark aggression may be hunger - if suddenly its favorite food disappears in its usual habitat, it may well replace it with a human.

With the end of the breeding season, cases of hammerhead shark attacks on humans become extremely rare. In short, you need to try really hard to get a hammerhead shark to attack you. However, experts believe that any shark as long as more than a meter poses a danger to humans.

Sharks can smell blood in water even in the smallest concentration. According to official statistics, from 40 to 300 people die annually from attacks by all large sharks. It is impossible to say exactly what proportion of this number are killed by the common hammerhead shark.

If suddenly, while at depth, you find a hammerhead shark nearby, try not to move, flounder or wave your arms and legs so as not to attract its attention - wait for help or swim slowly into the coastal waters. Try not to touch the shark's body - you can easily get hurt by the scales covering its skin, and then it will definitely show interest in you, smelling your blood. Be as careful as possible - then you will have a pretty good chance of staying alive.

But the common hammerhead shark itself is also an object of industrial fishing around the world for humans. Shark meat is dried, smoked and salted, but it is little valued, and there are cases of poisoning. But its fins take the number one place in the ranking for making shark fin soup.

Therefore, most often the hunt for hammerhead sharks is barbaric in nature - they are caught, their fins are cut off and thrown back into the water to die. Shark oil is added to vitamins, the skin is tanned, and the offal is suitable for production. fishmeal. Hammerhead shark is widely used to make all kinds of medicines in Chinese medicine.

By classification International Union Nature Conservation This species of hammerhead shark is “vulnerable”, and it is listed with this status in the Red Book. In many countries, catching these fish for the purpose of obtaining fins has already been prohibited, and in New Zealand, hunting for them is completely prohibited.

From a huge number sea ​​creatures The hammerhead shark stands out for its unusual shape heads. The awkward head arouses curiosity and the question - where did such growths come from? The amazing “profile” is not consistent with the usual appearance of fast-swimming large fish. At first glance, such a “decoration” is very inconvenient and creates a lot of problems for sharks.

Description

There is little information about the origin of hammerhead sharks. The skeleton of fish consists mainly of cartilage, so specialists mostly only have teeth to study. Externally, if you do not take into account the head, the hammerhead shark looks like an ordinary fish. Large fusiform muscular strong body dark above, with a slightly noticeable greenish tint, light below. The protective coloring helps it blend perfectly with its surroundings.

The flat head has noticeable lateral growths. They have eyes at the edges. The mouth is located at the bottom of the head, the shape of the teeth is triangular. The sizes depend on the species. The smallest are within a meter, the largest can grow up to 6 meters.

The hammerhead shark (the facts confirm this), although extremely rarely, attacks people. Out of nine known species- three pose a real threat. The animal attacks only after provocation from a person. They live in flocks, with an average number of 10-20 individuals. Group life helps in hunting and defense. Studying the life of predators, biologists have identified 10 signals that they exchange, some of which serve as a warning. The young are vulnerable to killer whales and larger shark species.

They are very agile and can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. Agility and instant reaction help to get food. In nature they can live up to 30 years. The main threat to sharks is people. They are hunted for their fins, often with unjustified cruelty: they cut off the fin and live shark thrown into the sea.

Nutrition

The relatively small size of the teeth does not allow them to hunt too large prey. The diet of the hammerhead shark (photo in the text) is quite varied:

• crabs, lobsters;
• squid, octopus;
• stingrays;
• dusky gray and gray mustelid sharks;
• sea ​​crucian carp, catfish, cats, croakers and perches, flounder, toad fish, hedgehog fish.

There are known cases of cannibalism. The basking hammerhead shark can feed on larger prey. Most of all, they prefer stingrays, not at all afraid of their poisoned thorns. During the day, predators gather in large flocks, and at night they go hunting. In the morning they get together again. The hunting tactics are simple: the shark swims near the very bottom, when it detects prey, it either stuns it with its head, or presses it to the bottom and eats it.

Reproduction

Puberty occurs when a certain length and body weight are reached. Females are slightly larger than males. Mating occurs closer to the surface, with the male able to sink his teeth into his partner. The gestation period is 10-11 months. Childbirth in the northern hemisphere occurs in late spring - early summer, on the Australian continent - in December-January. An interesting fact is that in cubs the hammer is directed along the body, which helps to avoid injuries during childbirth. When it gets into “free” water, it immediately becomes in a position familiar to adults. Small coastal bays serve as “maternity hospitals”; they usually have a lot of food.

The hammerhead shark (photo of the school in the text) is viviparous. Litter size ranges from 10 to 40 young. The number of babies directly depends on the size of the mother. Some species can produce offspring annually, but basking hammerhead sharks produce offspring once every two years. The young are born quite large, from 50 cm in length, capable of swimming quickly. For some time, the baby sharks stay close to their mother, receiving protection and the necessary survival experience.

Habitats

Different types Hammerhead sharks are common in warm temperate and tropical waters:

• Pacific Ocean;
• Atlantic Ocean;
• Indian Ocean.

They can be found in the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas, in the Gulf of Mexico. Predators prefer to stay near coral reefs, lagoons, and continental plumes. They feel comfortable not only in shallow water, but also at a depth of up to 80 meters. Some species are subject to seasonal migration. Schools and individuals can be found in the coastal strip and in the open ocean. Hammerhead sharks have been spotted offshore:

• from North Carolina to Uruguay;
• from California to Peru;
• from Morocco to Senegal;
• from Australia to the Ryukyu Islands and French Polynesia;
• Gambia;
• Guinea;
• Mauritania;
• Sierra Leone.

The maximum concentration of predators was recorded near the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaiian Institute of Marine Biology is known throughout the world for its scientific research related to these sharks.

Kinds

These predators belong to the order Carchariformes from the family of hammerhead sharks. The family includes two genera:

1. The genus roundhead hammerhead shark includes only one species - the roundhead (big-headed) hammerhead fish. The average size is 1.2-1.4 meters (maximum 185 cm). The T-shaped growth can reach 50% of the body length. The outgrowths are narrow, they are crowned with rather large eyes. The distance between the elongated large nostrils is twice the width of the sickle-shaped mouth, equipped with medium-sized teeth.

2. The genus of true hammerhead sharks is divided into species:

• Bronze. Average length torso within 2.5 meters (maximum - 346 cm). A rather large streamlined body, on the upper side it has a dark gray, grayish-brown or olive color, smoothly turning into gray-white on the belly. The hammer on the leading edge is “decorated” with numerous notches, the trailing edge is somewhat concave.
• Giant hammerhead shark. Individual individuals grow up to 6 meters, weigh more than half a ton, the average length is up to 3.5 m. The hammer span is within 30% of the body length, the shape is almost a regular quadrangle, especially noticeable in adult sharks. The crescent-shaped curved mouth is equipped with not very large triangular teeth. They have a serrated edge. There are 17 teeth on the upper jaw and 16-17 teeth on the lower jaw.
• West African (white-finned). Rare and little-studied species. Found along the west coast African continent from Congo to Senegal. The average size of females is up to 2.4 meters, males - up to 1.8 m, and there are individuals up to 3 meters long. The hammer swing is within 25% of the body length.
• Roundhead. The smallest representative of the genus, length does not exceed 1 meter. It differs from other types by the oval leading edge and straight trailing edge of the hammer.
• Small-eyed (golden). Small, up to 130 cm (record -148 cm) long, distinguished by a golden tint. Small eyes are located on the end ends of the hammer. Its width does not exceed 30% of the length of the body. The sickle-shaped mouth is equipped with thin front and wider lateral teeth with blunted tops. There are 15-17 of them on each jaw.

• Smallhead (shovel shark). This species has the smallest head, the hammer looks more like a shovel. The average length is within 120 cm. Shy, comfortable water temperature is at least +20 ° C.
• Ordinary. The average size is 2.5-3.5 meters, large individuals can grow up to 5 meters. The hammer in the front part is convex and quite wide. The narrow sickle-shaped mouth is “armed” with small, triangular teeth jagged at the edges. There are slightly more of them on the upper jaw - up to 32 pieces, on the lower jaw - up to 30.
• Panamo-Caribbean. Small representatives of the genus, the average size up to a meter. The front edge of the hammer is arched, convex, the rear edge is straight. The width of the head is up to 23% of the body length; in young animals it can be up to 33%.

All of the above species differ in size, color, head shape, and habitat. There are only three of them to be wary of: bronze, giant and ordinary.

Gigantic

Because of their large fins, the basking hammerhead shark is hunted mercilessly. This species is listed in the International Red Book as endangered. In Asian markets, high-priced predator fins are the basis for the famous “shark fin soup.”

The main differences between giants and their relatives:

• the front edge of the hammer is almost flat without bending, which gives the head a rectangular shape;
• in size it exceeds all types;
• They bear offspring once every two years; the litter ranges from 6 to 55 babies;
• life expectancy can reach 50 years.

Hammer

The hammerhead shark is an excellent hunter. The hammer helps her masterfully find prey. Its outgrowths are covered with skin strewn with extremely sensitive nerve receptors. They are able to detect even the slightest fluctuations in temperature and water. A shark can detect an electrical impulse of one millionth of a volt. Like a real “mine detector,” sharks comb the bottom and unmistakably find stingrays in the sand.

The eyes located at the ends of the “wings” allow you to simultaneously monitor the situation 360° from above and below simultaneously. Only under their very nose they are unable to see anything. Constantly moving your head from side to side eliminates this inconvenience. The main assistants in hunting are electromagnetic (sensory) receptors; they help to detect the electric field of even the smallest prey.

This is interesting

Not long ago, a new (as some scientists believe) species of hammerhead shark was discovered. Interesting Facts about special DNA, a different number of vertebrae (170, not the usual 190), genetics - all indicate that it “diverged” from the bronze shark about 4.5 million years ago. Now the question is about recognizing the new species and clarifying the status of the bronze hammerhead shark.