Gold Coast ocean enthusiasts have had an incredible, up-close encounter with a critically endangered shark species after witnessing a magnificent swarming event at a popular beach. The finding is published in the Journal of Experimental Biology. Scalloped hammerheads are named for the dents on their hammer-shaped head or cephalofoil. The δ15N values of the scalloped hammerhead (15. Hammerheads are fish that are grey-green to olive in coloration, and they have bright white bellies. The best hammerhead shark dive sites at Malpelo include The Twins pinnacles, The Freezer wall dive and La. Hammerhead sharks mate only once every five years, and. Photo By: LagunaticPhoto Next Up. Collofello told Storyful. Picture: Instagram The four-foot-long creature is believed to have been lured to the beach by the scent of a decomposing. A scuba diver recorded a shiver of endangered scalloped hammerhead sharks swimming beneath her off the Gold Coast’s Burleigh Beach on April 3. This unique characteristic makes them well-adapted predators. However, the nares of whale sharks are actually larger and more widely separated than even the largest hammerhead. This new shark species is relatively young and arrived roughly 25 million years ago, while other sharks roamed the ocean with dinosaurs. Gold Coast ocean enthusiasts have had an incredible, up-close encounter with a critically endangered shark species after witnessing a magnificent swarming event at a popular beach. It’s difficult for scientists to trace the evolution of modern day hammerhead sharks because almost all shark fossils are teeth and nothing. 1 m (20 ft). 5 feet (2. Why hammerhead sharks have a wide nose. 1 feet (4 m) and weight of 500 pounds (230 kg). Diel movement patterns of the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewim) in relation to E1 Bajo Espiritu Santo: a refuging central-position social system. high position in the marine food chain. Hammerheads have special sensors on their heads that detect the electrical signals of other animals. Crystal Fox less than 2 min read10. . A shark recorded from above off Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. Bonding: Hammerhead sharks swim in groups in the waters around Serua Island, Maluku. Queensland beach-goers were given a scare this morning, as three sharks closed down a Gold Coast beach. 30pm and 6pm. This question has persisted since hammerheads were first described over 200 years ago. A female hammerhead shark is a species of shark that is distinguished by its unique shape, similar to that of a hammer. 7 meters to 4. Hammerhead sharks are found all over the world, in temperate and tropical waters, as well as far offshore and near shorelines. “Even the sound of bubbles scares them away,” says marine ecologist and National Geographic explorer Pelayo Salinas, who studies the animals in the Galapagos. shore, shark, Seven News, Gold Coast | 0 views, 3 likes, 0 loves, 0 comments, 1 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from 7NEWS Gold Coast: A Burleigh Heads woman has taken a risk diving into the ocean with. A female hammerhead shark has given birth without mating. The sharks close their gills to stay warm while hunting in deep, frigid waters, new research suggests. Collofello told Storyful. A great hammerhead shark can birth 6 to 42 pups at once . These sharks are famous for their weird, wide, flattened heads – kind of like having a mallet attached to their face! Let’s dive into some hammerhead basics: Size: Hammerhead sharks vary widely in size depending on the species. • 27 days ago. What an EPIC day at Burleigh Heads getting to swim with juvenile hammerhead sharks. The shark's eyes and nostrils are located at the extreme ends of its head. Gold Coast surfers have been treated to some extraordinary close encounters with critically endangered sharks in recent weeks. Great Hammerhead. Phylogeny of hammerhead sharks (Family Sphyrnidae) inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear genes. A Burleigh Heads woman has taken a risk diving into the ocean with a swarm of sharks. abc. 3. Hammerhead sharks populate coastal areas and the edges of. 30am on Monday Surf Lifesavers evacuated the beach after they saw a “couple of sharks” within a bait ball just off Burleigh Heads. The shark's eye placement, on each end of its very wide head, allows it to scan more. Great hammerhead sharks can grow up to 20 feet in length and weigh over 1,000 pounds, however this is rare. This is a large West African species similar to the scalloped hammerhead. Their dangling feet came awfully close to the swarming sharks, however. To Top. Then, start planning the trip of a lifetime, diving with these elusive and entrancing animals. couardi. (Nine News) "There are sharks out there, we saw a 5-metre great white off. A. DNA tests of shark meat in Australian fish and chip shops have revealed that endangered scalloped hammerheads are being unwittingly consumed, often labeled. The great hammerhead is dusky brown to light gray on the dorsal. 3. "We actually have juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks right next to the. 9 feet (0. Top Six Places to Dive With Hammerheads. interface language. Hammerhead sharks are best known for their long, rectangular heads. Alien Sharks are Back 9 Photos. Burleigh Heads beach was closed twice on Thursday, first when a “four-foot shark” was spotted roughly 150 metres offshore at 8. 1. A scuba diver recorded a shiver of endangered scalloped hammerhead sharks swimming beneath her off the Gold Coast’s Burleigh Beach on April 3. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Hammerhead Sharks. 0 to 19. Winghead shark – S. 1 meters), and the largest great hammerhead shark ever recorded weighed 991 pounds (450 kg). The surprising appearance of hammerheads hunting off a popular Gold Coast beach is the most significant shark. Hammerhead sharks demonstrate a considerable variety in sizes and weights, with the most significant species measuring up to 20 feet long and weighing. Hammerhead sharks live along coastlines and continental shelves. With that wide, thick head shaped like a double-headed hammer, it's easy to identify a hammerhead shark. Excitement on Bird Island today. Despite over 50 years of argument, this is the first study to actually do some measurements with real sharks, and it shows. To this day, I love seeing them every time. The wide expanse of head allows for a broader spread of highly specialized sensory organs that they use to find food. “This is a look at how monsters form,” said Gareth Fraser, a UF. ” Legend has it the 18-foot Great Hammerhead had eyeballs “as big as baseballs” and weighed close to 1,000 pounds. We were very cautious not to spook or harass them, so we watched them cru. . Nurse Sharks 10 Photos. We asked a biologist what it all means. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. 🦈 Spectacular footage captures the moment groups of sharks swim together just off Burleigh Headland over the weekend. Join us on the modern, roomy new Reef Empress, our 35 metre catamaran that takes you directly to the only navigable lagoon on the Great Barrier Reef, Lady Musgrave Lagoon. They are about 13 feet long and 500 pounds. abc. It is found in tropical and warm temperate waters worldwide, inhabiting coastal areas and the continental shelf. Why is the head of a hammerhead shark shaped like a hammer? Noise off XS Festival. The hammerhead sharks are an unmistakable group of sharks that can be distinguished from all other fishes by the shape of their heads. It was taken by 14-time Australian freediving record. Brief Summary. 2:11. The hammer-like shape of the head means that hammerhead sharks can sweep for prey more effectively. 6:58. While the smallest species, bonnethead shark, has an average size of 3. Hammerhead sharks should be the poster child of evolution. The bonnethead shark ( Sphyrna tiburo ), also known as the bonnet shark, bonnet nose shark, and shovelhead shark is one of nine species of hammerhead sharks. Species. From 1580 to 2012, 37 hammerhead shark attacks have been reported; 17 of these attacks were unprovoked. Cocos Island. A filmmaker dived with hammerhead sharks in a bid to get a shot from inside one of their mouths and raise awareness for shark conservation. Hammerhead sharks are apex predators who use their unusually shaped heads to aid in their hunt for prey. They have a grayish-brown to light gray. Most tales put Big Mo at the old Bahia Honda Bridge, while others have claimed to spot it,. While there are bigger sharks in the water, such as whale sharks, tiger sharks, and pacific sleepers, hammerheads are not exactly the small fry of the bunch. For generations, Keys watermen have been terrorizing youngsters with stories of “Big Mo. They will literally, “drop the hammer,” and pin down their prey to the ocean floor with their wide heads. The body is stout and classically shark-shaped with a markedly tall, curved, first dorsal fin. Galapagos Archipelago. They generally stay near coral reefs and along continental shelves but often roam in between shallow water and deep water indiscriminately. With their iconic heads, hammerhead sharks have become an iconic symbol of the ocean. Tiger Sharks 10 Photos. : @flying___pixels @lukeworkmann At around 9. 0 meter). The great hammerhead shark is the largest of them all, and can grow up 20 feet, although this is very rare. This question has persisted since hammerheads were first described over 200 years ago. Dorsal fin tall with moderately curved rear margin Small second dorsal fin with origin behind anal fin originHammerhead Shark Description. LOCATION: Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads (you won’t miss it) HOURS: 12pm to 12am daily. Situated between glistening Surfers Paradise and laid back Coolangatta, Burleigh Heads is famous for pumping surf breaks, towering pine trees and 'to be seen' hip dining. Because of their characteristic hammer-shaped heads, or cephalofoils, hammerhead sharks are among the most distinctive and recognized shark species. . The mystery may now be solved by a study showing that a hammerhead gives sharks outstanding binocular vision and an ability to see through 360 degrees. Dr Meynecke said he swam with the sharks. Crustaceans. Brief Summary. These sharks have unique movement patterns, spending their nights in the deep ocean and their days in shallow coastal waters, with females often forming large social groups. Hammerhead, copper and bull sharks were spotted by the photographers. Hammerhead shark. It’s estimated a hundred scalloped hammerheads have been. The shark’s head was a massive 3 feet wide. 11‰) were higher than those of the silky shark (14. Subscribe: National Geographic:National Geographic is the worl. The great hammerhead shark is the largest of them all, and can grow up 20 feet, although this is very rare. RESOURCES. Each year, a litter of up to 19 pups is born in shallow waters off Venezuela and Uruguay. 1 meters), and the largest great hammerhead shark ever recorded weighed 991 pounds (450 kg). . Unlike most sharks, many species of hammerheads are social, and swim in schools during the day. Some hammerhead sharks travel in schools. Juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks, which are typically light tan in color, were found to suntan when exposed to increases in solar radiation (Fig. After blocking some of the animals' nostrils, the scientists then took the animals on a cruise to deeper waters. If there’s anything scarier than spotting a hammerhead shark in the wild, it’s spotting a school of hammerhead sharks! Unlike many sharks that travel solo dolo, scalloped hammerheads and smooth hammerheads are two species that prefer to travel in packs. Hammerheads are a family of sharks that are known for their oddly shaped heads. Lack of Information. A group of hammerhead sharks sent swimmers scurrying back onto their boats last week. Physical description. 6 meters) long on average. 0 meter). Meanwhile, just a hundred metres offshore at Burleigh Heads, a stand-up paddleboarder caught dozens of scalloped hammerhead sharks on camera. They are so wide that they are known for getting caught in fishing nets due to it’s size. 11. Video recorded by Laurel Collofello shows her pan her camera to show the large school of juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks swimming near the ocean floor. Until recently, our understanding of their biology, movements, diet, and life histories was challenged by a lack of studies. The Scalloped Hammerheads form is a large, slender shark ranging from 3. A major difference between these two sharks is their appearance. The smaller hammerheads can weigh between 6 and 400 kilograms / 13 to 880 pounds depending on the species. The body is moderately compact and lacks a mid-dorsal ridge. The great hammerhead ( Sphyrna mokarran) is the largest species of hammerhead shark, belonging to the family Sphyrnidae, attaining an average length of 4. Both are large, but the great white shark dominates. Socorro Islands, Mexico. The Great Hammerhead Shark is a coastal-pelagic and semi-oceanic species, occurring along coastlines, continental shelves and adjacent drop-offs to about 80 m depth. Dozens of hammerheads filmed hunting off a popular Gold Coast beach is the most significant shark activity seen in the area for more than 15 years. They eat hammerhead sharks, seals, sea lions, sea turtles, bony fish, and rays. Preferred Food Hammerhead sharks are active hunters, and eat fish such as grouper. Bimini. The hammerhead shark is a shark species known for the distinctive hammer-like structure. Thus, you would be able to differentiate a hammerhead from a bull shark at a. Crystal Fox less than 2 min read 10. Gold Coast ocean enthusiasts have had an incredible, up-close encounter with a critically endangered shark species after witnessing a magnificent swarming event at a popular beach. Dozens of hammerheads have been filmed by stunned locals at Palm Beach as well as off Burleigh Heads in recent weeks. Sharks in the Streets, Homes Floating Away; Monster Storm Ian Now Heads to Georgia and Carolinas. Summary: Why the peculiar head shape of the hammerhead shark developed as it did has been the subject of much speculation. blochii. Bimini, Bahamas, is the best place on the planet to see sharks up close. 9 ± 0. They are. The meaning of HAMMERHEAD is the striking part of a hammer. Great hammerhead sharks can reach lengths of up to 20 feet (6. Update June 11, 2023 at 6:00am: Taylor Graham was on Bird Island with his drone when the school of Hammerhead Sharks came swimming through and captured the above video. These sharks reside in oceans worldwide, particularly in warm waters and near the coast. When it comes to unique shark shapes, nothing beats the hammerhead. 4–3 feet (76–91 cm) long, and grow to about 7. 4 metres) and an age of about 15 or 16 years. Killer whales are apex predators because they lack natural prey. Hunting. Hammerhead sharks face a number of challenges caused by their unique head shape. Stingrays are a particular favorite. Explore the world of the strange-looking Hammerhead shark. 105. The eight species of hammerhead are among the most easily recognizable of sharks. These sharks have incredibly good eyesight, and their eyes are on. 4. All sharks are predators, but in general, the shape of their heads and position of their eyes provide only a small (about 10-degree) stereoscopic visual field in front of them. Closed now :. ( WALA) -A hammerhead shark showed out in Orange Beach Monday morning. They will literally, “drop the hammer,” and pin down their prey to the ocean floor with their wide heads. Soon, seven hammerhead sharks were circling them mere inches below their plastic raft and there was not much they could do but wait it out, the women said of the wild, caught-on-video moment. Their diet also includes turtles, stingrays, and seabirds. . Baby Hammerhead Sharks - Burleigh Heads Australia - 17-4-23 - YouTube So nice of these Baby Hammerhead sharks at Burleigh Heads QLD Australia, to keep. The animal’s head is flattened and extended outwards in both. Researchers are looking for answers. . Over time natural selection has actually shrunk the size of the hammer. Baby hammerheads are born 2. Over time natural selection has actually shrunk the size of the hammer. Subscribe: scalloped hammerhead shark ( Sphyrna lewini) was listed in the Conservation Dependent category of the EPBC Act in 2018. Location: Tropical Coastlines Worldwide. Hammerhead, bronze whaler and bull. Beachgoers are advised to be cautious when in the water. This is the Member for Fadden (From Stapylton and Stradbroke down to Labrador and Parkwood). What an EPIC day at Burleigh Heads getting to swim with juvenile hammerhead sharks. Huge groups of hammerheads have been spotted close to shore hungry and on the hunt for warm water. Shortfin Mako Sharks 10 Photos. Dozens of hammerheads filmed hunting off a popular Gold Coast beach is the most significant shark activity seen in the area for more than 15 years. Their maximum length is about 990 pounds. Scientific Name: Sphyrna Mokarran Size: 13-20 feet (4-6 meters); 500-1,000 pounds (230-450 kilograms) Conservation Status: Endangered Distribution: Wide: Tropical and warm temperate waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans The Great Hammerhead is a species of hammerhead shark known for its large size, with adults reaching lengths of. One of the most iconic of all species, hammerhead sharks should be swimming near the brim of any diver's bucket list. Huge groups of hammerheads have been spotted close to shore hungry and on the hunt for warm water. 0:42. 5. Sharks can hear best at frequencies below 1,000 Hertz which is the. Of the nine known species, several are endangered, including the scalloped. 01. Here’s a rundown of. • 27 days ago. The 6. Hammerhead sharks can be found on the coast and continental shelves all over the world in warmer waters. However, the implementation of shark nets around beaches has also contributed to their decline. Dr Meynecke from Griffith University's Coastal and Marine Research Centre said about 40 scalloped hammerhead sharks have been swimming off Burleigh Heads since late March. The leader is Bruce, a great white; Anchor, a hammerhead; and Chum, a mako. 9 ± 0. 44s. Unlike most sharks, hammerheads usually swim in. Collofello told Storyful that she first swam with the sharks in March after local drone. More than 100 scalloped hammerhead sharks congregate around islands. Researchers are puzzled by some of their behavior. The two differ in size, with the great white much larger at 18-26 feet long and weighing 2,450-4,938 pounds on average. Meet the scalloped hammerhead shark. Nine Mile Reef: This site is located off Tweed Heads and is an excellent place for spotting pelagic fish species, including manta rays, leopard sharks, and even the occasional hammerhead shark. On Wednesday, two South Carolina anglers caught and released a hammerhead shark. Dr Meynecke from Griffith University's Coastal and Marine Research Centre said about 40 scalloped hammerhead sharks have been swimming off Burleigh Heads. Subscribe and 🔔 to the BBC 👉 the BBC first on iPlayer 👉 SUBSCRIBE to the OFFICIAL BBC. Australian Community Media. Consider the example provided by the wonderfully bizarre hammerhead sharks. They are most easily recognized by their distinct, hammer-shaped heads. Approximately mid-gestation, these two-inch-long. Others have argued that the wide spacing actually improves their binocular vision. . 5 m (11 feet) long and weigh more than 230 kg (510 pounds). A 1,000 pound hammerhead was caught off South. Zimy Da Kid took his. One of the more unique looking sharks is the hammerhead sharks, which have hammer-shaped heads. Credit: NOAA Fisheries. The hammerhead species that branched off the earliest is the winghead shark (E. 2 to 3. 1). Hammerhead sharks are a species of sharks that are known for their distinctive, ‘hammer’ shaped heads. 9 m (6. It’s a picturesque punctuation mark along the Gold Coast and most definitely somewhere to pause. (Supplied: Olaf Meynecke) Swimmers catch a glimpse. Sharks are thought to be the most abundant on the Darwin and Wolf Islands, with the highest density anywhere in the world. They have a grayish-brown to light gray. . The shark's eyes and nostrils are located at the extreme ends of its head. Scientific name: Sphyrna mokarran. This is the only known pink manta ray in the world. The sharks, measuring 2. Baby hammerhead shark caught at Ramsgate. 9 feet (0. 09‰) (Estupiñán-Montaño et al. The winghead hammerhead shark has the widest head. A scuba diver recorded a shiver of endangered scalloped hammerhead sharks swimming beneath her off the Gold Coast’s Burleigh Beach on April 3. With their sandpaper skin, cartilage skeleton, electroreceptive sensors, and rows of dangerous teeth, sharks fascinate many people. BURLEIGH HEADS - EVERDAY, BEACHFRONT BURLEIGH HEADS. The head can extend as far as 50 per cent of its body. Burleigh Pavilion. The signage included 10 small signs explaining the Indigenous uses for a variety of native plant life that occurs in the. Hammerhead Sharks will also dine on the following: Smaller fish. Hammerhead sharks are the most common shark species. Threatened Species Status: Critically Endangered. The most distinguishing characteristic of this shark is its "hammer-shaped" head. 1). 9. When former footy players Ryan Davis and Matt Shaw took their boat out and dropped a line. The mystery may now be solved by a study showing that a hammerhead gives sharks outstanding binocular vision and an ability to see through 360 degrees. The hammerhead shark weighs between 900 to 1280 lbs. Queensland beach-goers were given a scare this morning, as three sharks closed down a Gold Coast beach. Preferred Food Hammerhead sharks are active hunters, and eat fish such as grouper. One of the most striking animals in our waters is the hammerhead shark. Dozens of hammerhead sharks have been spotted off Burleigh Heads prompting swimmers to catch a glimpse It comes as large schools of bait fish move up. Scalloped hammerhead sharks can dive to depths of more than 2,600 ft (800 m) to hunt for squid and other food. It can be equivalent to half the shark’s total length. Hammerhead sharks employ a rolled swimming technique that allows them to move more efficiently through the water. More information: Naima Andrea López et al, Identification of the southernmost aggregation of scalloped hammerhead sharks ( Sphyrna lewini ) in Australia, Austral Ecology (2022). 7 feet (0. 7 feet (0. Share. Even so, the majority of the demonstrated aggressive behavior of this shark is based on defense and competition. However, the scalloped hammerhead shark showed a wider trophic niche than the silky shark, with low trophic overlap (5%) between the two species. The body size of the known species of hammerhead sharks ranges from 3. So there you have it, Burleigh Pavilion has graced us with its’ presence and we are absolutely here for it. When former footy players Ryan Davis and Matt Shaw took their boat out and dropped a line. Unlike most sharks, these sharks have a rectangular head with eyes far spread out on each end. “It’s called an EOG, an electro-olfactogram,” says Steve Kajiura, the scientist who’s doing the wiggling. Cue the shark music — the Jaws theme song or Baby Shark — your choice! This sea wonder is dedicated to hammerhead sharks. Their teeth are serrated and tiny. Over time natural selection has actually shrunk the size of the hammer. The image shows three rare scalloped hammerhead sharks swimming in the shallows at Burleigh Heads. Diet. Juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks, which are typically light tan in color, were found to suntan when exposed to increases in solar radiation (Fig. Commercial fishing is the biggest threat to hammerheads, with 370t of hammerhead sharks legally allowed to be caught every year in Australian waters (1). With their uniquely shaped heads, rising up from the deep, often in vast, mysterious schools, they are at the top of every diver’s wishlist. Watch. 1 m) long, and the heaviest great hammerhead shark ever recorded was 991 pounds (450 kg). A great hammerhead shark is thought to be the largest of all hammerhead sharks, reaching a maximum length of 20 feet (6. By Jacqui Brooks , 6th February, 2019. A Gold Coast photographer is still pinching himself after having the “privilege” to swim with hammerhead sharks over the weekend at Burleigh Heads. . The Bahamas is famous for its hammerhead shark diving and is the best place for great hammerhead shark encounters. And beyond smell and vision, these sensory organs are rather high-tech. A sixth sense that all sharks have. Because of their distinctive shaped head, the hammerhead is easily identified by many coastal regions around the world. The first shark case of virgin birth occurred with a hammerhead. With their unique “hammer-like” head, these sharks are an iconic species with an interesting life cycle. The great hammerhead shark, which can grow to 20 feet long and whose global population has also decreased by 80%, was petitioned for ESA protection by the diversity center in June. Great hammerheads are much less shallow-water sharks than bonnetheads are. However, these numbers are based on a global average and can and often will vary significantly between different regions and oceans. Scalloped hammerhead sharks hold their breath to keep their bodies warm during deep dives into cold water (Deron Verbeck) By HNN Staff Published : May. Supplied: Olaf Meynecke. Great Hammerhead. Hammerhead sharks demonstrate a considerable variety in sizes and weights, with the most significant species measuring up to 20 feet long and weighing. Dropping a line into the serene waters off Burleigh Heads, about 200 bronze whalers were swarming. Rangiroa. These animals can reach a maximum length of about 20 feet (6 meters), although they are about 12 feet (3. 7 meters to 4. shore, shark, Seven News, Gold Coast | 503 views, 13 likes, 0 loves, 7 comments, 8 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from 7NEWS Brisbane: Extraordinary new pictures show sharks close to shore on the Gold. Hammerhead sharks are found in temperate and tropical waters around the world. The species is similar in appearance to the Smooth Hammerhead Shark, except the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark has a distinctive central indentation on its head. 45am and again when two sharks “believed to be dangerous. The 10 diverse hammerhead shark species are all distinguished by this peculiar head form. The sharks, measuring 2. Bonnethead hammerheads are the smallest species. 38. Updated January 18 2022 - 12:32pm, first published January 17 2022 - 4:57pm. Average Size: 5 to 6 feet. Max Hinton, from Content Lion, caught the scene on his drone at Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Queensland on Friday. The winghead hammerhead shark has the widest head. She fought the 11. Hammerhead sharks, caught both in the longline and purse seine fisheries, are among the top shark species caught in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Hammerhead sharks are best known for their long, rectangular heads. 6 m (15 ft) and reaching a maximum length of 6. Range. 3 meters in length, with a top weight of 150 kilograms. MOBILE, Ala. They are threatened by commercial fishing, mainly for the shark fin trade. This shark's unusual name comes from the unusual shape of its head, an amazing piece of anatomy built to maximize the fish's ability to find its favorite meal: stingrays. Coral Spawning. The brood and the mother were likely already dead before they washed ashore, according to city officials. Also known as land planarians or shovel-headed garden worms, their. Their ampullae of Lorenzini, which act as electroreceptory sensory pores, can detect electric fields. Range. 6 metres, were found early today in a net set across Burleigh Lake after police asked the Department of Primary Industries to help find the killer shark. These lobes contain specialized muscles and connective tissue and are. 1. Shovel or bonnet-shaped head, making identification easy among other hammerhead sharks. . While more than 400 species of sharks are found worldwide today, about 170 of them inhabit Australian seas, from the world’s largest, the whale shark, to one of the smallest, the pygmy shark, and of course, the equally fascinating and fearsome great white. These sensors can detect weak electric emissions from other sea life. A Dive into Hammerhead Sharks' Physical Traits. At least 3000 hammerhead pups were caught in nets between 1962-2000. The finding is published in the Journal of Experimental Biology. Reproduction. These schools do not remain together overnight however, as hunting is solitary. news. Sporting wide, flattened heads known as cephalofoils with eyeballs bulging at each end, hammerhead sharks are among the. Great hammerhead sharks can grow up to 20 feet in length and weigh over 1,000 pounds, however this is rare. At least 400 pounds heavier than the state record, and perhaps even a world record, it was. Hammerhead sharks are apex predators, which means they are at the top of the food chain and have few natural predators. It was a stunning day, and the water was crystal clear.