FactsnFacts.com - Great Hammerhead Sharks

The great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran, is the largest species of hammerhead shark.

This shark lives in the depths of 80 m (260 ft).

The great hammerhead is found worldwide in coastal areas and above continental shelves in warm and tropical waters

The heaviest ever caught weighed 580 kg (1,280 lb) but was only 4.4 m (14.5 ft) long, caught in Boca Grande, Florida.[2007]

The average great hammerhead shark is up to 11.5 feet (3.5 m) long.

The great hammerhead has a thick head in which the eyes are located at the margins.

The largest reported hammerhead shark was 20 feet (6 m) long.

The great hammerhead has a defense against the venom of sting rays, which seem to be a particular favorite in their diet.

These large sharks average about 500 pounds (230 kg) but can weigh as much as 1,000 pounds (450 kg).

Expected life span of this species is approximately 20 to 30 years of age.

When encountered by divers, the great hammerhead is usually quite shy and normally not aggressive.

Great hammerheads eat small sharks, rays and sting rays, squid and bony fish.

These sharks hunt alone.

Their size at birth is about 60 to 70 cm.

Great hammerheads are viviparous. They give birth to a litter of between 6 and 55 young, typically 20 to 40.

Their gestation period is 11 months.