The hammerhead ancestor probably lived in the Miocene epoch about 20 million years ago. The team found that two divergent lineages of small sharks about 3 to 4 feet long originated independently at separate times in the past.

Why did hammerheads evolve like that?

Now, a study suggests that the hammerhead shark may have evolved its oddly shaped snout to boost the animal's vision and hunting prowess. ... Sharks with wider heads have better binocular vision – all the better to track fast-moving prey like squid with far more accuracy than sharks with close-set eyes.

How old are hammerhead sharks?

Their average lifespan is around 20 to 30 years. The oldest hammerhead recorded was thought to be around 40 years old! According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, great hammerheads are globally endangered. The main reason is the quality and size of their fins which is the key ingredient in shark fin soup.

When was the hammerhead shark discovered?

Shivji's team at the Florida university first discovered the new hammerhead species in 2005 when examining the DNA of sharks thought to be scalloped hammerheads based on their physical appearance. A research team from the University of South Carolina independently confirmed the existence of the new species in 2006.

How big are scalloped hammerheads?

Male scalloped hammerhead sharks can grow to nearly 6 feet in length and weigh up to 64 pounds. Females are larger, growing to more than 8 feet and weighing 80 pounds. The largest have been known to grow to 14 feet in length.

How did the Hammerhead Shark Evolve? | BBC Earth

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Why are hammerheads important?

As an apex predator (with a particular fondness for stingrays), the great hammerhead shark plays an important role in maintaining the health of coastal marine ecosystems. ... Great hammerhead fins, sold as “Gu Pian,” are highly prized in the Asian fin trade because of their large size and high needle count.

Where did hammerhead sharks evolve from?

The ancestor of today's hammerhead sharks likely first appeared in Earth's oceans some 20 million years ago, and evolved over time into the variety of these funny-faced fish of all shapes and sizes that swim the seas today, a new study finds.

How long do great hammerheads live?

The largest reported length of a great hammerhead is 20 feet (610 cm). Expected life span of the species is 20-30 years of age.

How many hammerheads are left in the world?

There are nine species of hammerhead sharks worldwide. The hammerhead with its strangely shaped head is somewhat of a mystery although scientists have recently discovered that the odd shape improves their vision, making them excellent hunters.

What do hammerheads eat?

Great hammerheads primarily feed on prey at the seafloor, such as stingrays, cephalopods (octopus and squid), crustaceans and other sharks. Great hammerheads have been observed using the sides of their heads to pin down their preferred meal, stingrays, while feeding on the ray's wings.

What is the most aggressive shark?

Wikipedia Great Whites get most of the headlines but Bull Sharks may be the most dangerous shark of them all. It has been recorded in 69 unprovoked attacks on humans but researchers believe the numbers may be higher because of the lack of easily identifiable markings.

Why do hammerheads have a hammer shaped head?

Hammerhead sharks are voracious predators and their mallet-shaped heads boost their ability to find that which they like to eat. The wide expanse of head allows for a broader spread of highly specialized sensory organs that they use to find food. And beyond smell and vision, these sensory organs are rather high-tech.

Can hammerhead sharks see in front of them?

The hammerhead's eyes are positioned on the sides of the shark's flattened "hammer" head, which gives it 360-degree vision — in other words, the hammerhead can see above and below at all times. However, they have a huge blind spot directly in front of their nose. ... Unable to swim, the shark dies.

Why are hammerhead sharks eyes so far apart?

In 1942, some scientists have suggested that the hammerhead's eyes are so far apart that their visual fields couldn't possibly overlap. Others have argued that the wide spacing actually improves their binocular vision.

Are hammerhead sharks scared of bubbles?

Contrary to popular belief, hammerhead sharks are shy.

This hammerhead demonstrates characteristic fear and flight when encountering divers underwater. Pro tip: Avoid exhaling bubbles when hammerheads come near and they are less likely to be scared off.

How long does a great white shark live?

Adult great white sharks grow to a maximum size of approximately 20 feet in length, weigh up to 6,600 pounds, and are estimated to live for 30 years. Great whites play a special role in the ocean as a top predator by keeping prey populations such as elephant seals and sea lions in balance.

What's the difference between a hammerhead and a great hammerhead?

The great hammerhead can be distinguished from other hammerheads by the shape of its "hammer" (called the "cephalofoil"), which is wide with an almost straight front margin, and by its tall, sickle-shaped first dorsal fin. ... Although potentially dangerous, the great hammerhead rarely attacks humans.

What is the size of Megalodon?

This data suggests that mature adult megalodons had a mean length of 10.2 metres (about 33.5 feet), the largest specimens measuring 17.9 metres (58.7 feet) long. Some scientists, however, contend that the largest forms may have measured up to 25 metres (82 feet) long.

Do Hammerheads eat other sharks?

Diet. Hammerhead sharks eat a large range of prey such as fish (including other sharks), squid, octopus, and crustaceans. ... The great hammerhead, tending to be larger and more aggressive than most hammerheads, occasionally engages in cannibalism, eating other hammerhead sharks, including its own young.

Where do Hammerheads live?

Hammerhead Sharks love tropical, warm waters from all over the world. They mostly stay along continental shelves and coastlines, but on occasion they are found in the deep ocean cruising near the surface.

Do sand sharks have teeth?

Sand tiger sharks, also known as gray nurse sharks, have a deceivingly ferocious look. They are large-bodied and display a mouthful of sharp teeth that protrude in all directions, even when the mouth is shut. Despite this, they are a docile, non-aggressive species, known to attack humans only when bothered first.