The common hammerhead shark belongs to the order Karhariformes, the class Selakhii. Eight species of hammerhead sharks are known to differ in size and shape. The largest of them reaches almost 7 meters in length and weighs almost a ton.
Researchers believe that the shark uses its "hammer" to improve
maneuverability in vertical waters. It has a slender spindle-shaped body, very flexible and mobile. This fish develops high speed in the water, and if attacked, it is difficult to escape from it.
The hammerhead shark you see in the photo is covered with brownish or olive skin on the back and gray-white on the belly. Like all its relatives, the mouth of this fish is "decorated" with sharp, sawtooth teeth. Her golden, lidded eyes are set on the sides of her nose. This allows the fish to significantly increase the peripheral view. And the proximity of the eyes to the nose gives special accuracy for orientation in the location of the prey.
Hammerhead sharks have been observed on numerous occasions to rush to a seemingly perfectly smooth bottom and immediately surface, holding in their mouths writhing prey hiding in sand and silt. She hunts mainly for squid, small fish and crabs, but veryloves stingrays. Therefore, probably, most of these marine animals try to stay closer to the bottom.
This shark is a fish that does not disdain even its relatives. The remains of the bodies of other sharks were repeatedly found in her stomach.
The so-called "hammer" is a shark's nose, on which nostrils-grooves are located along the edge, which help the fish catch the faintest odors. Scientists have proven that these creatures are able to sense even slight changes in the chemical composition of water. They are especially attracted to the appearance of blood in it. It has been repeatedly observed that sharks appeared near a harpooned whale or an inadvertently injured diver. Even if there is a trace of a frightened fish in the water,
predators react by rushing to the scene. Obviously, such a victim releases special waste products, which the shark captures.
In summer, hammerhead fish migrate to cooler waters, and in winter they return closer to the equator. What makes them gather in flocks is still unknown. Sharks “talk” among themselves with body movements and sharp turns of the head. Most of the herd are females. Why is also a mystery.
The hammerhead shark belongs to the class of viviparous. Her litter can contain over 20 cubs. Pregnancy in a female lasts 11 months, then newborns are born, reaching 60 cm in length. These amazing sharks live for 20 years. They are among the most ancient fish on the planet. It is believed that this species has existed for almost 40 million years.
Without an air bubble in the structure of its body, the hammerhead shark is forced to constantly move. This helps her to be always on her guard, so it is difficult to take her by surprise. The predator herself dictates the rules and always wins in the struggle for life. But still, this, unfortunately, does not prevent it from being classified as an endangered species.
For humans, the hammerhead shark is also dangerous. Attacks on swimmers occur, as a rule, during the breeding season, since for this fish go to shallow water, closer to the coast. Like all female sharks, sharks are especially aggressive at this time, so you should not go into the water unless your beach has a special fence.
The meat of the hammerhead fish is not very valued, as cases of poisoning by it have been recorded. But fins are in great demand. Therefore, often a shark is caught and, having cut off its fins, is thrown into the water to die.
