Hammerfish: description and interesting facts. Giant hammerhead shark: description and photo The story of the hammerhead shark

This animal belongs to the class of cartilaginous fish and is part of the order Carchariformes. The family to which the hammerhead fish belongs is called hammerhead sharks.

Marine fauna – mysterious world. More and more often, he reveals his secrets to us, revealing strange animals to the world, many of which are dangerous to humans. One of these creatures can be called a shark. There are many varieties of these fish, some of them have the most bizarre shapes. For example, hammerhead fish.

Hypotheses about the origin of head shape predatory fish variety. Some scientists suggest that this is the result of a mutation that once occurred in an ordinary shark, which subsequently gave birth to offspring. And some consider the formation of a hammerhead to be a consequence of evolution.

What is the appearance of the hammerhead shark and how does it differ from other fish?

The main “highlight” in the appearance of this fish is undoubtedly its head, or, more precisely, its shape. The front part ends in long and narrow projections diverging horizontally to the sides. This whole “structure” resembles a construction tool – a hammer. Hence the name of the animal.

The body length of the hammerhead fish reaches three meters, but there are specimens that grow up to 6 meters! Such a giant representative of this species was once caught in New Zealand. That shark weighed more than 360 kilograms!

The color of hammerhead fish is, in most cases, grayish-brown or gray. The abdominal part of the animal's body differs from the back in a slightly lighter tone.

Hammerhead fish habitats on planet Earth

The hammerhead shark is a resident of temperate and warm waters. Its populations inhabit the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

Hammerhead shark lifestyle

An amazing fact about this fish was recently discovered by scientists. It turns out that while in shallow water, mainly for young animals, the sun affects the shark’s skin, and it begins to darken... Researchers called this phenomenon the tanning effect. Who would have thought that sea animals also love to sunbathe!

As for other habits of the animal, it can be noted that these sharks have excellent vision. Despite the fact that the eyes on the muzzle are not so close to each other, this does not deprive their owner of vigilance, but on the contrary, it adds it. This natural “device” helps the hammerhead fish to see prey not only in front of itself, but also to perfectly capture the slightest movement from the sides. The shark sees all objects with both eyes at once.

The hammerhead fish has very powerful muscles and strong fins that allow it to develop high speeds and instantly catch the prey. And the massive head serves as a kind of stabilizer of movement and helps the animal maneuver in the water column.

Hammerhead shark feeding

In the daily diet of this predator ocean waters includes crayfish, stingrays and a variety of mollusks.

Reproduction of hammerhead fish

During the spawning period, these fish lay eggs that contain embryos - the embryos of future sharks. It is worth noting that before laying eggs, female sharks carry eggs inside themselves for almost 8 months. In mid-spring, young sharks are born. The size of the young is from 32 to 45 centimeters in length. When juvenile hammerhead sharks reach a height of 110 centimeters, they become sexually mature.

Natural enemies of hammerhead fish

Due to its size, powerful jaws, and overall creepy appearance, this predator has no direct enemies in its habitat. It is unlikely that any of the underwater animals will dare to attack such a monster. It is not recommended for people to approach this insidious creature.

This unusual creature about 40 million appeared. years ago. They live in warm subtropical ocean waters, often appearing in the coastal zone.

Appearance and lifestyle

Reaches a maximum body length of 7 meters, and weighs up to a ton. The shark's strong, streamlined and flexible body allows it to swim quickly and quietly. She performs sharp turns at high speed.

She has a large dorsal fin, i.e. pretty high. The upper body is gray, the belly is white, the tips of the fins are dark gray. What is most striking is the shape of the head of this unusual fish, which is flattened and strongly elongated on the sides.

No less surprising are the bulging yellow eyes that are located on the sides of the wonderful head. Her eyes are protected by moving eyelids. Here, on the sides, not far from the eyes, there are nostrils. She does not see what is happening ahead, often turns her head and relies on her senses of smell.

But why does a fish have such a strange head? There is still no exact answer to this question; there are only hypotheses and assumptions. Researchers have found that its face has many electrosensory areas, more than other sharks.

They help the predator to detect the exact location of prey, both over long distances and in narrow areas. For example, if a stingray is hiding in the bottom sand, she can easily determine its location. He will have no chance of salvation.

The predator's mouth is located below, under the snout, and its eyes are “well hidden”, therefore, having grabbed a stingray, it is not afraid of blows from the defending victim with its spiked tail. After all, he won’t hurt the predator, he just won’t reach the vulnerable spots.

Her teeth are saw-toothed and sharp, growing in several rows. It will bite, it will bite. Unlike many other species, hammerhead sharks are social and they often gather in schools. Serve to each other various signs movements of the head and body.

Nutrition

The hammerhead shark feeds on fish, stingrays, squid, and other sharks. At night they hunt alone, and during the day they gather in packs. In shallow waters, it can become tanned and its body becomes brownish in color.

It seems like no other animal can get a suntan. It rarely attacks humans. Most likely this happens during the breeding season.

Reproduction

Pregnancy will last about a year. This is a viviparous individual and can give birth to up to 40 sharks. Born cubs are head down, swim quickly, their body length is up to 50 cm. First, the cubs lose weight. They are similar to their parents, only small in size, and the babies' heads are soft and easy to bend.

In shallow water they learn to hunt, acquiring the skills of this difficult task. You also need to be cunning and not get caught by other predators for lunch. The faster they learn to defend themselves, the greater their chances of survival. The growing young generation, having gained strength, leaves the coastal zones.

Lifespan

IN wildlife The hammerhead shark lives about 40 years.

• Class – Cartilaginous fish
• Order – Carharhiniformes
• Family – Hammerhead sharks
• Genus – Hammerfish
• Species – Hammerhead Shark

Well, this, by the way,

Fish from a working family!

Just give the fish a reason

With tool hammerhead fish.

Vitaly Sibirtsev

This nursery rhyme describes as accurately as possible an interesting representative of the sea kingdom. What is this?

Hammerfish head

Let's find out more. Of course, the most interesting and unusual thing that characterizes the hammerhead fish is its head. Why is her head so weird? Many scientists believed that this fish acquired the hammer-shaped head shape in the process of evolution, over millions of years. With each generation, the shape of the head expanded by a tiny distance, and now the hammerhead fish we know appeared.

But now the opinion of scientists has changed. They believe that the hammer appeared through the process of mutation. But how can that be? Freaks sometimes appear in nature, but they almost never survive. It turns out that the first mutant shark survived, and despite dying due to a terribly deformed head and the inability to hunt using vision, it had to adapt to life and develop other organs.

What is she like? hammerhead fish? Its length is 3 meters, although there are fish that can reach a length of about 6 meters. The largest hammerhead fish ever caught off the coast of New Zealand weighed more than 363 kg.

Yes, this fish is impressive in size. And also her head, on the sides of which there are large outgrowths. All this creates the impression of a large, clumsy fish that is difficult to move. But this is a misleading impression. The hammerhead fish is an excellent hunter, it always achieves its goal, and if it starts hunting, then there is no escape.

How does a hammerhead fish hunt?

What helps her to be a good hunter? The first is her vision. The eyes of this fish are set very far from each other, and it would seem that it sees poorly, but this is not so. Her vision is good, and she is capable of seeing all 360 degrees. So hammerhead fish can see prey not only in front of it, but also below it, it is able to catch the slightest movements of prey around it.

But that's not all, she can see an object with both eyes at the same time, that is, she has binocular vision. This means that a three-dimensional image is created, or this type of vision is also called stereoscopic. And the wider the head of hammerhead sharks, the larger the area where you can see an object with both eyes at once.

One more feature good hunter, is that this fish is able to catch electromagnetic pulses, which are emitted by any Living being. Hammerhead fish can detect electrical discharges of one millionth of a volt. Indeed, why does she need vision if she is able to “see” prey under a layer of sand, under a stone or in algae. These receptors (tiny pores) are located under the chin of the hammerhead fish. And therefore, when she is looking for prey, her head resembles a mine detector in the hands of a miner. Having caught electromagnetic radiation, which comes from the victim, the hammerhead fish rushes towards the prey.

She has powerful fins and strong muscles that help her develop tremendous speed. And the hammer-shaped head becomes a movement stabilizer, leaving the prey no chance of escape.

How to eat

These fish feed on crayfish and mollusks, and stingrays are often found in their stomachs. The hammerhead fish does not have any direct enemies and this allows it to attack any fish and mammals depths of the sea. The cunning, dexterity and strength of this fish is often the key to victory over an opponent more impressive than it.

It is also dangerous for humans; it ranks third in danger after white and tiger sharks. Of course, as always, the person himself provokes this predator. Unusual appearance And big sizes hammerhead fish attract curious divers who are not averse to having fun with unusual fish, which is fraught with big troubles. The mouth of this fish is studded with small but sharp teeth, and if you meet one, it is luck to stay alive.

How does it reproduce

Viviparous fish. This is interesting, why? After all, most fish are oviparous. Apparently they have a different strategy. When their babies are born (females produce between 15 and 30 babies), they are already 50 centimeters long and are good swimmers. And this is necessary, since there are many predators, and the faster the offspring moves, the greater the chance of survival.

Where does it live?

Hammerhead habitats are warm and temperate waters of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Young sharks live at the bottom of bays, in shallow waters, where they learn to hunt. In shallow water, the skin quickly darkens, and the hammerhead shark tans.

This is the only animal, naturally, other than humans, that is capable of sunbathing!

Oceans and seas have always attracted man, revealing unknown depths, many secrets and mysteries. And to this day, despite numerous scientific expeditions and the colossal work of oceanographers, the depths of " big water“There are still many secrets hidden under the veil of secrecy.

flickr/Eric Orchin

The hammerhead shark deserves special attention, which can rightfully be called one of the most ferocious and merciless predators of the deep sea. The study of this predator has revealed many amazing things and frightening facts that are unique to this hunter.

Hammerhead sharks (lat. Sphyrnidae) are a fast, cunning and extremely resourceful predator that is not afraid of almost anything and easily attacks humans. On the “danger pedestal,” the hammerhead shark ranks third, second only to the tiger shark. History contains many exciting facts that are associated with hammerhead fish. For example, in one of these sharks caught, the corpse of a man was discovered, which entirely fit into the belly of this merciless killer.

Its usual habitat is warm waters, however, this does not prevent the shark from feeling quite comfortable in cool northern waters. Possessing body length from 4 to 7 meters, the hammerfish is “armed” amazing abilities an unsurpassed predator, which are reflected in the structure of her strong and incredibly flexible body.

Evolution, which has been perfecting this shark for more than two tens of millions of years, has endowed it with everything it needs. Ultra-strong, razor-sharp teeth, which are arranged in several rows, and are capable of literally tearing apart any victim in a matter of seconds. The natural camouflage coloring of the body makes it practically invisible in the water column.

Powerful fins and strong muscles allow them to develop tremendous speed. Unparalleled sensory organs are capable of finding prey many kilometers away, perceiving electromagnetic signals, sensing blood and even the fear of their prey. And the shark’s head itself, which is shaped like a hammer, gives the predator phenomenal maneuverability, becoming a movement stabilizer and leaving virtually no chance for the prey to escape.

All this suggests that if a hammerhead fish has chosen a target, then there is little that can save that target. The weight of a hammerhead shark can reach several hundred kilograms, and the largest specimen caught weighed 363 kilograms, with a length of almost 8 meters.

The hammerhead fish is at the top of the food chain, without any direct enemies. This allows her to attack any fish and mammals that live in the area without much risk. sea ​​waters. The cunning, strength and dexterity of this predator are very often the key to victory over an opponent larger than itself.

The hammerhead shark, like its closest relatives - other sharks, does not have an air bubble in the structure of its body. To maintain its buoyancy, it has to constantly move, which means looking for prey and always being “alert.” It is almost impossible to take this shark by surprise. She always imposes her terms of the “game” on the victim and always turns out to be the winner.

When encountering a hammerhead shark, don't take too long to look at it amazing creature. The shockingness of her exterior is directly proportional to the unmotivated aggression shown towards a person. If you see a “sledgehammer” floating towards you, hide.

Strange shaped head

Thanks to it, you will never confuse the hammerhead shark (lat. Sphyrnidae) with another inhabitant of the deep sea. Her head (with huge outgrowths on the sides) is flattened and divided into two parts.

The ancestors of hammerhead sharks, as DNA tests have shown, appeared about 20 million years ago. By studying DNA, biologists came to the conclusion that the most typical representative The family Sphyrnidae should be considered the large-headed hammerhead fish. It stands out from other sharks with the most impressive head growths, the origin of which is being tried to be explained by two polar versions.

Supporters of the first hypothesis are confident that the head acquired its hammer-shaped shape over several million years. Opponents insist that the bizarre shape of the shark's head arose due to a sudden mutation. Be that as it may, this sea ​​predators I had to take into account the specifics of my outlandish appearance when choosing prey and lifestyle.

Types of hammerhead sharks

The family (from the class of cartilaginous fish) called the hammerhead fish or hammerhead shark is quite extensive and includes 9 species:

• Common hammerhead shark.
• Bighead Hammerfish.
• West African hammerfish.
• Roundhead hammerfish.
• Bronze hammerfish.
• Smallhead hammerfish (shovel shark).
• Panamo-Caribbean hammerhead fish.
• Small-eyed basking hammerhead shark.

The latter is considered extremely ferocious, maneuverable and fast, which makes it the most dangerous. It differs from its relatives in its enlarged size, as well as configuration. leading edge“hammer”, which has a straight shape.

Giant hammerheads grow up to 4-6 meters, but sometimes specimens approaching 8 meters have been caught.

These most dangerous predators for humans and other representatives of the Sphyrnidae family have taken root in the tropical and warm-temperate waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.

This is interesting! Sharks (mostly females) often gather in groups in underwater rocks. Increased numbers are observed at noon, and at night the predators disperse until the next day.

Hammerhead fish have been spotted both on the surface of the ocean and at fairly great depths (up to 400 m). They prefer Coral reefs, often swim into lagoons and scare vacationers in coastal waters.

But the largest concentration of these predators is noted near the Hawaiian Islands. It is not surprising that it is here, at the Hawaiian Institute of Marine Biology, that the most serious scientific research on hammerhead sharks is carried out.

Description

The lateral outgrowths increase the area of ​​the head, the skin of which is dotted with sensory cells that help to pick up signals from a living object. A shark is able to catch very weak electrical impulses emanating from the bottom of the sea: even a layer of sand where its prey will try to hide will not become an obstacle.

Recently, the theory that the shape of the head helps hammerheads maintain balance when turning sharply has been debunked. It turned out that the shark’s stability is given by its spine, which is arranged in a special way.

On the lateral projections (opposite each other) there are large round eyes, the irises of which are painted golden yellow. The organs of vision are protected by eyelids and supplemented by a nictitating membrane. The non-standard location of the shark's eyes contributes to full (360-degree) coverage of space: the predator sees everything that happens in front, below and above it.

Possessing such powerful enemy detection systems (sensory and visual), the shark does not leave him the slightest chance of salvation. At the end of the hunt, the predator presents its last “argument” - a mouth with a row of smooth sharp teeth. By the way, the giant hammerhead shark has the most terrible teeth: they are triangular, inclined towards the corners of the mouth and equipped with visible serrations.

This is interesting! A hammerhead fish, even in pitch darkness, will never confuse north with south, or west with east. Maybe she's picking up a magnetic field globe, which helps her stay on course.

The body (against the background of the head) is unremarkable: it resembles a huge spindle - dark gray (brown) on top and dirty white below.

Reproduction

Hammerhead sharks are classified as viviparous fish.. The male performs sexual intercourse in a very unique way, piercing his partner with his teeth.

Pregnancy, which occurs after successful mating, lasts 11 months, after which from 20 to 55 excellent swimming babies (40-50 cm in length) are born. To prevent the female from being injured during childbirth, the heads of the baby sharks are turned not across, but along the body.

Having emerged from the mother's womb, the baby sharks begin to actively move. Reaction speed and maneuverability save them from potential enemies, which often become other sharks.

Hammerhead shark catch

Hammerhead sharks love to indulge in seafood such as:

• octopus and squid;
• lobsters and crabs;
• sardines, mackerel and sea catfish;
• sea ​​crucian carp and sea bass;
• flounder, urchinfish and toadfish;
• sea ​​cats and croakers;
• mustelids and dusky gray sharks.

But the hammerhead shark has the greatest gastronomic interest. The predator goes hunting at dawn or after sunset: in search of prey, the shark approaches the bottom and waves its head to raise the stingray.

Having discovered the prey, the shark stuns it with a head blow, after which it holds it with a “hammer” and bites so that the stingray loses the ability to resist. Next, she tears the stingray into pieces, capturing it with her sharp mouth.

Hammerhead fish quietly carry toxic stingray spines left after a meal. One day, a shark was caught off the coast of Florida with 96 of these spines in its mouth. In the same area, giant hammerhead sharks (guided by their keen sense of smell) often become a trophy for local fishermen, attacking baited hooks.

This is interesting! Currently, biologists have recorded approximately 10 signals that hammerhead sharks exchange when gathering in schools. Scientists have proven that some of the signals serve as a warning; the rest have not yet been deciphered.

Man and hammerhead shark

Only in the Hawaiian Islands are sharks equated to sea deities who protect people and regulate the number of oceanic fauna. The Aborigines believe that the souls of their deceased relatives are transferred to sharks, and the greatest respect is shown to sharks with hammerheads.

Paradoxically, it is Hawaii that annually fills up reports of sad incidents related to attacks by hammerhead sharks on humans. This can be explained quite simply: the predator enters shallow water (where tourists swim) to breed. At this time, the hammerhead fish is especially nervous and aggressive.

A priori, the shark does not see man as its prey, and therefore does not specifically hunt him. But, alas, these predatory fish have a very unpredictable temperament, which can prompt them to attack in an instant.

If you accidentally encounter this sharp-toothed creature, remember that sudden movements (swinging arms and legs, quick turns) are absolutely prohibited. You need to swim away from the shark up and very slowly, trying not to attract its attention.

Of the 9 species of hammerhead sharks, only three are considered dangerous to humans:

• giant hammerhead shark;
• bronze hammerfish;
• common hammerhead shark.

The remains of human bodies were discovered more than once in their torn stomachs.

However, biologists believe that in undeclared war between hammerhead sharks and civilized humanity, humans win by a landslide.

For patients to be treated shark oil, and gourmets enjoyed dishes made from shark meat, including the famous fin soup, their owners are exterminated by the thousands. In the name of profit, fishing companies do not comply with any quotas and standards, which is why the number individual species Sphyrnidae have declined alarmingly.

In particular, the large-headed hammerhead fish is at risk. Her, along with two other quantitatively decreasing related species, The International Union for Conservation of Nature called it “vulnerable” and included it in a special Appendix regulating the rules of fishing and trade.