Scalloped hammerhead
Sphyrna lewini
(Griffith & Smith, 1834)
Description:
A large Hammerhead with a notch at the center of the head. First dorsal fin moderately high, second dorsal fin low. Front margin of the head broadly arched with a prominent median notch. Side wings of the head narrow, rear margins swept backward. Uniformly gray, greenish brown, or olivaceous above, shading to white below. Inside tip of pectoral fin dark. Rear edge of ventral fin straight.
Size up to 4.3 m. Maximum reported age: 35 years.
Habitat:
A coastal-pelagic, semi-ocean shark occurring over continental and insular shelves and adjacent deep water, often approaching close inshore and entering bays and estuaries. Found in inshore and offshore waters to about 275 m depth.
Feeds mainly on bony fish, cephalopods, other sharks and rays, also lobsters, shrimps and crabs.
Distribution:
Uncommon Florida, Bahamas and Caribbean.
Remarks:
The related Great hammerhead (Spyrna mokarran) may reach a length of over 6 m. The front edge of the 'hammer' is nearly straight, with a slight median notch (Sphyrna mokarran). Pectoral fins without conspicuous markings.