1 Topic : 5 Facts
How well do you know the ocean?
This regular feature will help acquaint you with our blue planet.
Topic: All About Hammerhead Sharks
There are 10 species of hammerhead shark! Ranging from the largest member, the 20’ long great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran), to the petite 3’ long scalloped bonnethead (Sphyrna corona).
In 2013 the 10th species of hammerhead was discovered, the Carolina hammerhead (Sphyrna gilberti). What makes it so special? It has 10 less vertebrae than its nearly identical family member the scalloped hammerhead.
Their hammer-shaped head is called a cephalofoil and it increases their ability to sense prey using electroreception due to the unique number and distribution of electrical sensors called ampullae of Lorenzini.
Hammerhead sharks have a 360° view of the ocean around them! Just as Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza of Ocean First Institute (https://www.facebook.com/oceanfirstinstitute1?fref=nf), it was her research project that discovered this.
Hammerhead moms give birth to a litter of live young, called pups. Although there is no maternal care, the babies are born ready to thrive!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
SEVENSEAS - 95
May 2017 - Ocean Literacy