Fish · GBIF taxon 2418792
Great Hammerhead
Sphyrna mokarranAlso known as Great Hammerhead Shark
Cruising warm coastal shelves around the globe, the great hammerhead uses its wide, T-shaped head to sweep the seafloor like a metal detector, sensing the faint electrical signals of buried prey. Once a stingray is detected, the shark uses its broad cephalofoil to pin the ray down before taking precise bites. Low reproduction rates and heavy commercial fishing pressure have caused steep global population crashes.
Apex PredatorMarine
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Critically EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXCritically EndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Southern Stingray
- Bony Fish
- Squid
Predators
- Orca
- Larger Sharks
ThreatsOverfishing, shark fin trade, commercial fishing bycatch
HabitatsCoastal waters, continental shelves, coral reefs, offshore ocean
Life span20 to 44 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderCarcharhiniformes
- FamilySphyrnidae
- GenusSphyrna
- SpeciesSphyrna mokarran
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Large apex predator capable of severe bites; observe calmly from a safe distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Massive body size and rows of sharp serrated teeth can inflict severe wounds if provoked.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by an almost straight front edge on its broad hammer and a remarkably tall, sickle-shaped first dorsal fin.
- What to do
- Maintain a respectful distance while diving and exit the water if sharks exhibit aggressive or bait-seeking behavior.
- What to notice
- Distinguished from smaller hammerheads by its massive size, straight central hammer profile, and towering dorsal fin.
- Support conservation
- Advocate for marine protected areas and refuse to purchase shark products or support non-sustainable fisheries.
Responsible observation
- Diving Etiquette: Stay calm on the ocean floor and avoid swimming directly toward the shark.
- Boating Safety: Keep distance around active surface feeding or nursery areas.
- Respectful Distance: Never attempt to touch, corner, or chase free-swimming individuals.
Prey (c) Luciano Massa, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Luciano Massa · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Kris Mikael Krister, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Shaun Lee, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative
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