Scalloped Hammerhead
Sphyrna lewini
Bislamasak— names this kind of animal, not this species alone
rareCR · Critically Endangeredgreylargeschoolingopen water
- Group
- Shark & ray
- Habitat
- Open water
- Max size
- 4.3 m
- Family
- Sphyrnidae
The scalloped hammerhead is a species of hammerhead shark in the family Sphyrnidae. It was originally known as Zygaena lewini. The Greek word sphyrna translates into "hammer" in English, referring to the shape of this shark's head, which is its most distinguishing characteristic. The shark's eyes and nostrils are at the tips of the extensions. It is a fairly large hammerhead, but is still smaller than both the great and smooth hammerheads.
Adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Behaviour
Forms large daytime schools around offshore pinnacles and drop-offs, breaking up at night to feed alone.