Bonnethead
📖 Overview
Found on the continental and insular shelves, on inshore and coastal areas, over mud and sand bottoms, also on coral reefs. Often occur in shallow water including estuaries, shallow bays and over coral reefs . Also found in mangrove areas . Spends night time hours on shallow grass flats, searching for nocturnally active invertebrate prey, moves into deeper water during the day . Adults feed mainly on crustaceans, also on bivalves, octopi, and small fish. However, this is the first shark species to demonstrate omnivorous digestive strategy . It has been shown through digestability analyses that bonnetheads have enzymes that can digest seagrass organic matter with at least moderate efficiency . Viviparous, with 6 to 9 young per litter. Size at birth about 35 to 40 cm. Not territorial. Always occurs in small groups. Considerable sexual segregation occurs. Shows diel rhythm of activity. Utilized for human consumption and processed for fishmeal.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Front of head semicircular in outline. No other hammerhead has front of head in semicircle. .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Bonnethead is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Bonnethead is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Viviparous, placental , with 6 to 9 young per litter. Size at birth about 35 to 40 cm.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; oceano-estuarine ; depth range 10 - 80 m . Subtropical; 45°N - 36°S, 121°W - 32°W North Carolina, U.
🌿 Ecology
crustaceans, also on bivalves, octopi, and small fish
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Bonnethead 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 | 21.3 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 115 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Bonnethead has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sphyrna tiburo tiburo | - | - | Synonym |
| Sphyrna vespertina | Springer | 1940 | Synonym |
| Squalus tiburo | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 33 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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