Great Hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran (Rüppell, 1837)

Scientific name: Sphyrna mokarran
Alternative name/s:
Hoe-head Shark
Great Hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran Click to enlarge image
Great Hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran (Rüppell, 1837) Image: Albert Kok
© CC BY-SA

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Species
    mokarran
    Genus
    Sphyrna
    Family
    Sphyrnidae
    Order
    Carcharhinidae
    Class
    Chondrichthyes
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 6 cm in length but rarely exceeds 4.5 m.

Introduction

The Great Hammerhead has a very tall first dorsal fin.

Identification

Its head width is less than 40% of the total length and the pelvic fins have concave posterior margins.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical and warm temperate seas worldwide.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Last, P.R. & J.D. Stevens. 2009. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Edition 2. CSIRO. Pp. 644, Pl. 1-91.