Sphyrna lewini

(Griffith & Smith, 1834)

Vernacular names
English : Scalloped hammerhead
French : Requin-marteau halicorne

Classification
Class : Elasmobranchii
Order : Carcharhiniformes
Family : Sphyrnidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species grows to 4,30 m in length for a weight of 150 kg. Broad, flat, narrow bladed head. Hammer-like head with strong indentations and grooves. First dorsal fin high and nearly vertical. Back and flanks grey brown, white belly.

Range and habitat
The species occurs around the world in coastal tropical and subtropical seas, in Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, both near the continents and around islands. Lives around continental and insular shelves and nearby deep water, to 1000 m deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species was once common but all its populations have undergone very steep declines because of overexploitation and overfishing.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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