The Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini)

Behind the scientific name

• Sphyrna - Translates from Greek to English meaning "hammer" 
• This name refers to its hammer-shaped head.

dISTRIBUTION

• Not just in Galapagos
• Resides all over the country in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans.
• On the Galapagos Islands they reside mostly on Santa Cruz Island 

Adaptations

• Slow Reproduction
• This used to be a beneficial adaptation but now it is raising 
• the chances of extinction.
• Move in groups/schools.

Habitat

• Found in:
• Warm Temperate
• Tropical Waters
• Ocassionally in Western Mediterranean Sea

Population Information

• Population is decreasing
• Heavily Hunted

Feeding Habitats/Preferences

• They feed mostly at dawn and dusk.
• Mostly Feed On: Teleosts (bony fishes) 
• Also eat squids, octopuses, lobsters, crabs, stingrays, 
• and even small sharks.

Hunted by:

• Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)
• Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)

ENDANGERED!

• According to the IUCN Red List this shark is 
• endangered because of its slow reproduction
• and escalating amount of poaching and hunting.

Population density

• The Scalloped Hammerhead's population 
• is trickling away as they are hunted and as
• their slow reproduction happens they are being 
• hunted all over the world.