Fish · GBIF taxon 2418800
Bonnethead
Sphyrna tiburoAlso known as Bonnet Shark, Shovelhead, Bonnethead Shark
Bonnetheads navigate shallow coastal estuaries and seagrass meadows, using electroreceptors across their spade-shaped heads to detect hidden prey buried in mud. Remarkably omnivorous, they digest substantial amounts of seagrass alongside a steady diet of crabs and shrimp. Mature females display broader, rounded heads compared to the distinct anterior bulge that develops on adult males.
CoastalOmnivorousSwimmer
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Blue Crab
- Seagrass
- Mantis Shrimp
Predators
- Tiger Shark
- Lemon Shark
- Bull Shark
ThreatsFisheries bycatch, coastal habitat degradation, and gillnets
HabitatsShallow bays, estuaries, mudflats, and seagrass beds
Life span12–18 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderCarcharhiniformes
- FamilySphyrnidae
- GenusSphyrna
- SpeciesSphyrna tiburo
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of a sharp defensive bite if handled or cornered; observe from a respectful distance.
- What to notice
- Recognizable by its smooth, shovel-shaped head without the central notch typical of larger hammerheads.
- Support conservation
- If encountered, give the shark ample space and avoid harassing feeding groups in shallow waters.
Responsible observation
- Coastal Spotting: Scan shallow mudflats and seagrass beds during rising tides where these sharks hunt in small groups.
- Recreational Care: If accidentally hooked while fishing, release the shark gently in shallow water without lifting it by the tail.
- Safe Viewing: Watch quietly from boats or piers to avoid disturbing feeding aggregations in shallow bays.
Primary Prey Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Kris Mikael Krister, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Jake Mohan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Shaun Lee, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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