Among the 10 species of Hammerheads, this species is identifiable by the notch, or “scallop” shape across their distinguishably curved heads. They can reach lengths of up to 13 feet and weigh approximately 350 pounds (lbs). They are found throughout inshore waters and even bays and estuaries of some areas. They range throughout the western Atlantic Ocean from New Jersey to Uruguay; in the eastern Atlantic from the Mediterranean Sea to Namibia; in the Pacific Ocean from Southern California to South America and off of Hawaii; in the Red Sea; the Indian Ocean; and the western Pacific Ocean from Japan down to Australia. Due to their unique head shape they are well equipped to hunt for prey that live on or in the sediment, such as stingrays, crustaceans, squid, and small fish. Like all sharks, they have Ampullae of Lorenzini which are electroreceptor organs clustered at the tip of their nose to aid in the location of prey. They are a shy species, quiet successful at avoiding people. Frequent in the Hammerhead species, they will form large groups which has proven to be advantageous for those hunting them... humans. These species are currently listed as Endangered. This is primarily due to the fact that they are one of the most common species in the finning industry. An absurd practice where sharks fins are cut off to be used for “medicinal” purposes, sold for other uses, and the more well known for shark fin soup in asian cultures. What do you think they do with the rest of the shark afterwards... the most practical idea would be they’d use the rest of the shark so it is not wasted... nope! They toss the bodies back into the water, still alive might I add, and they slowly suffocate from not being able to move and from the blood loss. It makes me equally disgusted and mad that people actually do this. Sharks play a crucial role in our marine ecosystem and should not be feared, but revered!! #stopsharkfinning
Originally posted on 25 November 2018
(not my picture)
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