Hammerhead Shark
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Hammerhead Shark Facts

Hammerhead shark facts – description

Hammerhead shark facts vary a lot depending on species. The average size of a Hammerhead shark will for instance greatly depend on which of the eight different species we talk about, and an adult Hammerhead shark can be anywhere from 2 metres to 6 metres long. The biggest of the eight Hammerhead species it is the aptly named Great Hammerhead shark. This species can reach a weight of 450 kilograms (1,000 pounds), but approximately 230 kilograms (500 pounds) is more common. 

The most famous Hammerhead shark fact is naturally the astonishingly shaped head from which it derives its name. The eyes are well as the nostrils of the shark are situated at the tip of these remarkable extensions. The mouth is proportionally small.  

Hammerhead shark fact – reproduction

The Hammerhead shark is a fish, but when it comes to mating and foetal development it is actually quite similar to a mammal. Most fish species deposit their eggs and the male fish will fertilize them outside the body of the female. Hammerhead sharks do however carry out internal fertilization and the embryos develop inside the body of the female. Hammerhead embryos will receive nutrition from their mother via an umbilical cord.

During the mating period, the male will relentlessly chase the female shark and bite her repeatedly until she lets him mate with her. The gestation period varies between 10 and 12 months and Hammerhead sharks usually reproduce annually. When the gestation period is over, the female Hammerhead will give birth to 12-15 Hammerhead pups. After such a long gestation period, the pups are large enough to survive without being guarded and cared for by their parents.

The Hammerhead shark facts regarding Great Hammerhead sharks differ a bit from the facts regarding other Hammerhead species. Great Hammerhead sharks give birth to a significantly bigger litter; usually from 20 to 40 pups. Great Hammerhead shark pups are roughly 70 centimetres (27 inches) long when they are born.

Hammerhead shark fact – metabolism

A less known Hammerhead shark fact concerns their intestines. Hammerhead sharks have a spiral shaped intestinal valve through which it takes a lot of time for ingested food to pass. It is therefore not possible for Hammerhead sharks to eat often, and it will always take a lot of time for them to digest their food. This Hammerhead shark fact slows down their growth rate considerably. They must also conserve energy and not waste anything on unnecessary swimming around.

An interesting Hammerhead shark fact related to the one described above has to do with the liver of the shark. The liver of a Hammerhead actually helps the shark to conserve energy by being filled with oil. The oil has a lower density than sea water, and will therefore create an upward movement. This makes it possible for the Hammerhead shark to float rather than swim in the water when it is not pursuing prey. The Hammerhead shark will often look very calm and gracious when it slowly floats around in the ocean