Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Sphyrna lewini
- Common name
- Scalloped hammerhead
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Sphyrnidae
- Genus
- Sphyrna
- Size
- 240–430 cm
- Depth
- 0–1000 m
- IUCN status
- Critically endangered (CR)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- open-water
- Behaviours
- solitary, schooling, fast-moving
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Eastern Pacific
Description
Sphyrna lewini reaches 4.3 m and 150 kg. T-shaped hammer with distinctive marked central notch (different from S. zygaena). Olive bronze-gray back, white belly. Listed CR (Critically Endangered) by IUCN following global fin overfishing. Circumtropical distribution. Forms the largest hammerhead schools in the world on seamounts and volcanic islands, iconic of Cocos, Galapagos, Malpelo, Socorro, Ningaloo. Complex migrations. One of the most spectacular encounters in world diving.
Photo of Scalloped hammerhead
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Scalloped hammerhead?
- Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) reaches 240–430 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Scalloped hammerhead?
- Scalloped hammerhead is found between 0–1000 m deep.
- Is the Scalloped hammerhead dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Scalloped hammerhead?
- IUCN status: Critically endangered (CR).
- Where can you find the Scalloped hammerhead?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Sphyrna
- Sphyrna zygaena - Smooth hammerhead
- Sphyrna mokarran - Great hammerhead
- Sphyrna tiburo - Bonnethead Shark
- Sphyrna media - Scoophead shark
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 105816)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2418789)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia