Smooth Hammerhead

Overview

The Smooth Hammerhead is a large, cosmopolitan shark found in tropical and temperate seas worldwide. It is distinguished from other hammerhead species by its curved, hammer-shaped head that lacks a central notch.

Distribution & habitat

This species is widely distributed across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. It is a coastal-pelagic and semi-oceanic shark, typically found over continental and insular shelves, though it also ranges into deeper offshore waters. It is known to migrate northward during summer months.

Appearance

Beyond its signature un-notched cephalofoil, the Smooth Hammerhead has a body that is olive-grey to dark grey-brown on the dorsal side and white underneath. A key identifying feature is the dusky coloration on the undersides of its pectoral fin tips. Its teeth are finely serrated, and its mouth is broadly arched.

Biology & behavior

Smooth Hammerheads are viviparous, giving birth to litters of 20 to 50 pups after a gestation period of approximately 10 to 11 months. While adults are often solitary or found in small groups, juveniles are known to form large, migrating aggregations. They are highly mobile, with some individuals documented traveling thousands of kilometers.

Feeding

This shark is an active predator with a varied diet. It primarily feeds on bony fishes, small sharks, skates, and stingrays, but it also consumes cephalopods, shrimps, crabs, and barnacles.