Fish ID – Species Glossary

Family Sphyrnidae, HAMMERHEAD SHARKS

Description: fifth gill slit shorter than 4 preceding ones and located posterior to pectoral fin base; flattened head extending to hammerlike lobes on each side; distinct indentation of the front margin of the head at its midpoint; second dorsal fin longer than tail; gray-brown to olive in color with white underbelly; teeth smooth-edged; pectoral fins tipped with black on the undersurface; tips of first and second dorsal lobes and caudal also may have dusky tips; pelvic fin with nearly straight hind margin.

Similar fish: other hammerhead sharks.

Where found: both OFFSHORE and INSHORE.

Size: common to 6 feet and can reach 14 feet.

Remarks: predatory fish, feeding mainly on fish, squid, and stringrays; male matures at about 6 feet in length.