Great hammerhead
📖 Overview
A coastal-pelagic, semi-oceanic shark, found close inshore and well offshore, over the continental shelves, island terraces, and in passes and lagoons . Often bottom and reef associated at 1-80 m . Prefers to feed on stingrays and other batoids, groupers and sea catfishes, but also preys on other small bony fishes, crabs, squid, other sharks, rays, and lobsters . A viviparous species, with 13-42 of about 56 to 70 cm young in a litter . Potentially dangerous to people but only few, if any, of the attacks on people can be definitely attributed to it because of the apparent difficulty of distinguishing large hammerhead species involved in attacks . Caught occasionally by target shark longline, demersal tangle net and tuna gillnet fisheries. Meat utilized for human consumption (fresh, fresh-frozen, dried-salted, and smoked), liver oil for vitamins, fins for soup, hides for leather, and carcasses for fishmeal . Its large fins, including the tail, sail-like first dorsal fin, are prized in the Oriental sharkfin trade .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. A very large hammerhead also with a notch at the center of the head . Front margin of head gently curved in juveniles, becoming nearly straight in adults, with slight median notch . 1st dorsal fin very high and curved; 2nd dorsal and pelvic fins high and with deeply concave rear margins. Light grey or grey-brown above, white below; fins without conspicuous markings .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Great hammerhead is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Viviparous with a yolk sac placenta and 13-42 young in a litter ; 6-42 pups after gestation period of ~11 months. Size at birth between 50 to 70 cm TL.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous ; depth range 1 - 300 m , usually 1 - 100 m . Subtropical; 40°N - 37°S, 180°W - 180°E North Carolina, USA to Uruguay, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.
🌿 Ecology
stingrays and other batoids, groupers and sea catfishes, but also preys on other small bony fishes,
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Great hammerhead is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20.7 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 168 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Great hammerhead has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🏆 World Records
| Record Type | Value | Angler | Location | Date | Line Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 580.6 kg | Bucky Dennis | Boca Grande, Florida | 23 May 2006 | ALL |
Source: IGFA All-Tackle World Records database
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sphyrna ligo | Fraser-Brunner | 1950 | Synonym |
| Sphyrna mokorran | Rüppell | 1837 | Synonym |
| Sphyrna mukaran | Rüppell | 1837 | Synonym |
| Zygaena dissimilis | Murray | 1887 | Synonym |
| Zygaena mokarran | Rüppell | 1837 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 10 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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