Great Hammerhead

Sphyrna mokarran

Occurring in

Arabian Sea
Caribbean
East Africa and India
North Atlantic
Northern Pacific
Oceania
Persian Gulf
Red Sea
South Atlantic
South Indian Ocean
Southeast Pacific
Tropical East Pacific
Pacific west

0-300m

DayAndNightActive

VeryEndangered

The Great Hammerhead is the largest species of hammerhead shark. Its nearly straight, very broad head distinguishes it from other species. It uses its hammer to pin rays to the ocean floor.

Habitat

Rocky Reef

Coral reef

Open Sea

Special Features

The Great Hammerhead is the largest species of hammerhead shark. Its nearly straight, very broad head distinguishes it from other species. It uses its hammer to pin rays to the ocean floor. Its dorsal fin is particularly tall and sickle-shaped.

Great Hammerhead-divedict_tauchen_haie_sharks_diving_conservation-lexicon-05

Appearance

Massive body, gray-brown upper side, light belly. Very broad, straight hammer.

Natural Enemies

Orcas

Dangerous/Poisons

Rarely dangerous, not poisonous.

Pro Tips

Great Hammerheads prefer to hunt rays, including poisonous species. They pin these to the bottom with their heads before biting. The species is heavily threatened by overfishing. Females grow significantly larger than males.