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Smooth Hammerhead
Carcharhiniformes

Smooth Hammerhead

Sphyrna zygaena

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Max Length

4.0m

Litter Size

29-37 pups

Overview

The most wide-ranging hammerhead, distinguished from the scalloped by a smooth, arched front margin on the cephalofoil. Found in temperate and tropical seas globally. Vulnerable due to the fin trade.

Habitat

The shark prefers continental and insular shelves, from close inshore to well offshore in waters 0 to 95.6 ft [0 to 20 m] deep, and sometimes deeper.

Distribution

Tropical & subtropical seas worldwide

World-wide in tropical and temperate waters.

Behavior

Young sharks less than 4.9 ft [1.5 m] in length sometimes occur in huge migrating schools.

Biology

Diet
Feeds on bony fishes, small sharks, skates, and stingrays.
Reproduction
29-37 pups per litter

Appearance

Smooth Hammerhead illustration
Dorsal
Olive-grey or dark grey-brown above, white below and the undersides of its pectoral fin tips are dusky.

Dentition

Upper jaw
Very broad cusps and smooth to weakly serrated edges.
Sources:sharksorg

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the smooth hammerhead dangerous to humans?
The smooth hammerhead is not considered dangerous to humans under normal conditions. There are few or no recorded incidents involving this species.
Where does this species data come from?
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed taxonomy and published references. Incident data is sourced from the Global Shark Attack File and joined to species records by name match.
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