Overview

The Great Hammerhead is easily distinguished from other hammerhead species by their extremely wide, hammer-shaped head, which can be up to 30% of their total body length. Their head is flattened and has a distinct "T" shape, with eyes and nostrils located at the ends of the "hammers." They also have a distinctive, pointed snout and a large, crescent-shaped dorsal fin.

Commonly found in:

1. Australia
2. Indonesia
3. Malaysia
4. Philippines
5. South Africa
6. Brazil
7. Cuba
8. Dominican Republic
9. Mexico
10. Panama
11. United States
12. Bahamas
13. Belize
14. Costa Rica
15. Ecuador

Over the past 21 years, there has been 1 recorded Great Hammerhead attack. This attack occurred at the following location:

• Fort Lauderdale Beach

Size and Weight

• Size: Males average between 10-13 feet when mature; females average between 11-15 feet
• Weight: Males typically weigh 500-700 pounds; females typically weigh 700-1,000 pounds
• Swimming speed: Both sexes can reach speeds of up to 25 mph

Interaction with Humans

• Interaction with Humans: Generally shy and avoids human contact, rarely implicated in attacks
• Avoidance: Stay out of murky waters, avoid swimming at night or during twilight hours
• Activity: Most active during dawn and dusk

Lifespan and Diet

• Lifespan: Males live approximately 20-30 years; females live approximately 25-35 years
• Diet: Primarily stingrays, other sharks, fish, squid, and crustaceans; uses its hammer-shaped head to pin down prey before feeding

Migratory Patterns

Great Hammerhead sharks exhibit seasonal migration patterns. They typically start their journey in warm tropical waters near the equator during winter months. As temperatures rise in spring and summer, they move towards higher latitudes in both hemispheres. In the western Atlantic, they migrate from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean northward along the U.S. East Coast, reaching as far as New England. In the eastern Pacific, they travel from Central America to southern California. Some populations also move between coastal areas and offshore waters, following prey availability and water temperature changes. These sharks return to warmer equatorial regions as temperatures cool in autumn.