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Hammerhead Sharks: Scalloped Hammerhead

Family Sphyrnidae, HAMMERHEAD SHARKS
Sphyrna tiburo

Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.

Description: fifth gill slit shorter than 4 preceding ones and located posterior to pectoral fin base; flattened head extending to hammer-like lobes on each side; distinct indentation of the front margin of the head at its midpoint; second dorsal fin longer than tail; gray-brown to olive in color with white underbelly; teeth smooth-edged; pectoral fins tipped with black on the undersurface; tips of first and second dorsal lobes and caudal also may have dusky tips; pelvic fin with nearly straight hind margin.

Similar Fish: other hammerhead sharks.

Where found: both OFFSHORE and INSHORE.

Size: common to 6 feet and can reach 14 feet.

*Florida Record: n/a

Remarks: predatory fish, feeding mainly on fish, squid, and stingrays; male matures at about 6 feet in length.

* The Florida records quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's printed publication, Fishing Lines and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.