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GREAT HAMMERHEAD
Sphyrna mokarran
SIZE
To about 18.5 ft (5.6 m).
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
- Head nearly straight and hammer-shaped, marked by prominent indentation at midline
- First dorsal fin tall and strongly curved
- Color dark olive green to brownish-gray above, shading to white below
- No interdorsal ridge
DISTRIBUTION
MA to Brazil, including Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Common off Carolinas in summer. Rare north of NC.
HABITAT
Coastal and offshore; near surface to >250 ft (76 m).
SIMILAR SPECIES
Bonnethead has shovel-shaped head; growns to about 5 ft (1.5 m). Smooth Hammerhead and Scalloped Hammerhead have swept-back "hammers," smaller first dorsal fins, pelvic fins with straight rear margins. Smooth Hammerhead lacks central indentation in "hammer."
MORE INFORMATION
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Text descriptions taken from Guide to Sharks, Tunas, & Billfishes of the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico |
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(File Modified Sep. 13 2011)
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