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FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The hammerhead sharks have an extraordinarily structured head that resembles a hammer, the two outward expansions on their heads are called cephalofoil. The genus Sphyrna comprises most of the hammerhead sharks, including the smooth hammerhead sharks, scalloped hammerhead sharks, great hammerhead sharks, and others. The smooth hammerhead is also contemplated as one of the enormous hammerhead shark species as it is the second largest. They are called smooth hammerheads because of the absence of indentation in the center. The ‘zygaena’ from their scientific name Sphyrna zygaena is derived from the Greek word ‘zygò’ which means ‘yoke’. Their geographical distribution range covers the region of the Atlantic and the Pacific ocean. These sharks can be **** dangerous to humans at times.
To know more about this Hammerhead species keep reading this article as more interesting facts are states below. For more relatable content, check out these Caribbean reef shark facts and longnose gar facts for kids.
According to the description of their name, this is the species of shark with hammer shape head that prefers living in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
The smooth hammerhead shark (Sphyrna zygaena) belongs to the class Chondrichthyes and the family Sphyrnidae.
It is vulnerable species but the total number is not listed.
The geographical distribution range of the smooth hammerhead shark (Sphyrna zygaena) includes the Atlantic where it can be observed near the regions of Nova Scotia, the **** Islands, ****, and south of Argentina. In the east, it includes Côte d'Ivoire, British Isles, and the Mediterranean Sea. In the western Pacific, they prevail in the Gulf of Tonkin, Australia, and New Zealand, other than these regions they are observed in other territories as well.
The tropical and temperate water is their ideal habitat and they are found primarily within this distribution zone where they have adequate prey like rays and other sea creatures. This fish prefers dwelling near the shallow water that has a depth of 79 in (200 cm).
The smooth hammerheads are extremely migratory and during their migration, they form schools.
The average lifespan of the smooth hammerhead shark is 20-30 years.
The process of reproduction is **** as the males transfer the **** to the females through their claspers. The females are viviparous and the gestation period can be around 10-11 months after that the female give birth to 20-50 pups.
The conservation status of the smooth hammerhead is Vulnerable according to the IUCN because of the commercial fishers who catch them for their fins, as shark fin is considered to be very valuable.
*Please note that this is an image of a hammerhead shark, not a smooth hammerhead. If you have an image of a smooth hammerhead shark, please let us know at ****@kidadl.com.
The smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena), which can be observed in tropical and temperate seas, is the sec****d-largest hammerhead shark species. The length of their **** is 98.4-137.8 in (250-350 cm) and the **** it can grow is 197 in (500 cm) weighing approximately 880 lb (400 kg). The cephalofoil of this species distinguishes it from the rest of the fishes, unlike the scalloped or great hammerheads their cephalofoil is wide, small, and curved with no indenti****. The color of this species can range from olive to brownish-gray **** the dorsal regi**** and the ventral regi**** is white. Towards the end of the cephalofoil their nostrils are situated, the upper jaw of this species c****sists of 26-32 tooth rows while the lower jaw has 25-30 and the teeth are extremely sharp and triangular just like the teeth of other sharks. The fins present **** these species are **** of the major purposes of catching them, the first dorsal fin is sickle-shaped, unlike the pectoral fins and the pelvic fins which are comparatively straight. The fin of this shark is a crucial ingredient of the shark fin soup which is a popular Chinese delicacy.
The smooth hammerhead is very intimidating and not cute.
Smooth hammerhead sharks form schools during their migration. They also have specialized sensory cells inside their head to sense and locate other fishes particularly their prey.
This species of hammerhead sharks are the second-largest sharks, as the great hammerheads are the largest with an average length of 181 in (460 cm) unlike the smooth hammerhead where the male has an approximate length of 98.4-102.4 in (250-260 cm) and the length of female is 104.3 in (265 cm).
The smooth hammerhead shark is an effective swimmer that can be found in the shallow water of the Atlantic and prey **** various marine creatures, as their diet includes sharks and rays for which they have to be very quick. It is listed that the hammerhead sharks can swim just 1 mph (1.6 kph).
The smooth hammerheads are massive sharks with hammer-shaped heads and the approximate weight of this fish is not summarized but the **** weight recorded is 880 lb (400 kg).
The males and females of this species do not have any specific names listed.
The smooth hammerhead sharks are viviparous and give birth to 20-50 pups. The birthplace of the pups is near the shallow coastal areas, like the coastal area of North Carolina. The pups are 20–24 in (50.8–61 cm) when they are born, which usually takes place between January-March.
The smooth hammerhead shark (Sphyrna zygaena) is a major predator and they prey **** many marine creatures including its kind. However, they prey **** stingrays, barnacles, b****y fishes, small sharks, and rays. This species also prey **** crustaceans and in Northern Europe they prey **** seabass. Their diet also consists of Spanish mackerel in the North American region.
There are many occasions when this species of hammerhead shark has proved to be **** dangerous to humans. This large hammerhead that inhabits the sea has attacked people 34 times according to a survey in 2018, and out of the 34 attacks, **** **** attack was ****. They are seen in the temperate seas where they do not encounter by many swimmers.
The exportation of this species of shark is not legal and it is protected in countries like the US and ****. Moreover, this fish is huge and not suitable as a pet.
Although the smooth hammerhead sharks are found in the sea, occasionally they may come into the freshwater habitat like the Indian river of the US.
The smooth hammerhead sharks are a type of hammerhead shark just like the great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, Carolina hammerhead, scooped hammerhead, and small-eyed hammerhead. The smooth hammerhead sharks are closely related to the great hammerhead also known as Mokarran than any of the shark species, however, they can be distinguished **** various grounds so here are a few smooth hammerhead vs great hammerhead facts. The Mokarran are the largest species amongst the hammerheads and have an approximate length of 181 in (460 cm) while smooth hammerheads are the second largest. The great hammerhead shark has an indention in the center of its head which gives the cephalofoila more of a T-shape while the cephalofoil of smooth hammerheads is more spherical. The smooth hammerhead sharks remain close to the surface of the water than the great hammerhead and few other hammerhead species.
The smooth hammerhead sharks are the victims of commercial fisheries, frequently they are accidentally caught and other times they are caught intenti****ally because of their valuable shark fin. All these practices have an impact **** their population and their population started declining in its distribution range. The smooth hammerhead shark is listed as a Vulnerable species by the IUCN and exporting them without authorization is not legal.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other fish from our reef shark facts and blacktip shark facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in **** of our free printable smooth hammerhead coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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