Great Hammerhead Shark 

Sphyrna mokarran

Phylum

Chordata

 Great Hammerhead Shark

Class

Chondrichthyes

Order

Carcharhiniformes

Family

Sphyrnidae

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common names : Great hammerhead.
Diet : Sardines, Herring, Grouper, Skates, Stingrays, Flat-fish and other small sharks.
Reproduction : Viviparous : Females give birth to between 20 to 40 pups per litter, each pup measuring around 70cm.  Females reach sexual maturity when they are about 3 metres in length.
Size : Maximum 6 metres  Average female 3.5 metres Average male 3 metres

 

Distribution of Great Hammerhead Shark Distribution : Worldwide in all tropical seas and entering into sub-tropical  waters often. Found in shallow waters (sometimes as little as 1 metre) and  coral reefs, especially where the reef  drops off. Can also be found offshore at depths of up to 80 metres. The Great Hammerhead will make long migratory voyages to cooler waters during the summer season.

 

Danger to man : This shark should be considered very dangerous due to its size and power. A few documented attacks on humans has been recorded.
Economic Importance : The skin of the most Hammerhead sharks is used for leather. The Great Hammerhead is an IGFA gamefish.
Other Comments : None