Whether witnessing a solitary silhouette or a school of hundreds, these peculiar-headed species are the gold standard of sightings in any diver's logbook. There are ten species of hammerhead shark (some say there are only nine, but we like to include the winghead hammerhead in the list, while others don't), and although they share a similar appearance (their noggin for one), many have a different temperament and navigate different habitats. Sadly, several of these wide-eyed beauties are currently threatened with extinction - winghead, scalloped bonnethead, scalloped hammerhead, scoophead, great, bonnethead and smalleye are all either endangered or critically endangered. Humans are their biggest threat, despite the fact that there have only been 17 hammerhead shark attacks on humans in the last 450 years, none of which have been fatal. Falling coconuts, on the other hand, cause about 150 deaths annually.
Where do Hammerhead Sharks Live?
If you're wondering where to find hammerhead sharks, then you've come to the right place. Despite their recognisable appearance, hammerheads are quite elusive. You can find them worldwide, but as migratory animals, hammerheads like to travel. A lot. Luckily, their odd-shaped heads make them easy to spot in the water. Between April and November (or April and June in Socorro), they can be found in the warm waters around the Cocos Islands, Socorro Island and Papua New Guinea. If you want to go diving with hammerheads in the winter (December to March), head to the Bahamas, the Galapagos or French Polynesia.
Hammerheads are often found along coastlines in depths of only a few metres or much deeper offshore, depending on the species and location. For example, great hammerheads tend to be in depths of up to 80 metres while scalloped hammerheads prefer shallower depths, normally living above 25 metres. They tend to favour coral reefs due to the buffet of prey on offer, but also enjoy continental shelves, island terraces and deep water near lagoons. So, if you want to see a hammerhead, chances are that if you go to the right place (of which there are many) at the right time (same again) you'll be able to enjoy some close up hammer time. And, after some careful water exploring, we've found some of the best places to dive with hammerhead sharks.
1. Diving with Hammerheads in the Bahamas
Chances are that you've seen a postcard-worthy photo of a great hammerhead gliding over soft sand with divers close by. Even greater chance, this shot was taken in the Bahamas: one of the most iconic places for close encounters with great hammerheads. The Bahamas became a shark sanctuary in 2011, which explains why there are so many sharks that call these waters home. Diving with hammerheads here is suitable for all dive levels, because the dives are conducted in shallow waters. Typically, you'll be kneeling on the soft sandy seafloor, around eight metres deep, and enjoying some up-close hammer action in crystal-clear waters.
Best dive locations for hammerheads in the Bahamas
Bimini, in the westernmost part of the Bahamas, is a shark diver's paradise and known as the 'neighbourhood' for great hammerheads. Here you'll find the largest numbers of great hammerheads, although they can also be found around Tiger Beach, alongside numerous tiger sharks.
Best time to see hammerheads in the Bahamas?
While you can dive with hammerhead sharks year-round in the Bahamas, the best time for large gatherings is between December and April. This is when the water temperature is cooler and weather conditions are usually stable, which helps to attract the hammerheads.
Unique highlights
As a marine sanctuary, these waters are also frequented by other shark species, so look out for tiger, bull and reef sharks! Away from sharks, you can expect to see eagle rays, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles and plenty more.
What types of hammerheads do you see here?
Diving with hammerhead sharks in the Bahamas means diving with three species. The main hammerhead shark in the Bahamas is the great hammerhead, the largest of the hammerhead species. You can also find the scalloped hammerhead and the bonnethead.
2. Diving with hammerheads in the Galapagos, Ecuador
The Galapagos is one of the best hammerhead diving locations in the world because it is one of the few places where hundreds of scalloped hammerheads can be seen gathering at once. Due to potentially strong currents and rougher conditions, it is advised that you have quite a few dives under your (weight) belt before heading here.
Best dive locations for hammerheads in the Galapagos
For large schools of hammerheads in the Galapagos, head to the waters around Darwin and Wolf Islands in the northern region. The best sites here are Kicker Rock, Gordon Rocks and North Seymour Canal.
Best time to see hammerheads in the Galapagos?
While you can see hammerheads year-round in the Galapagos, the best time for large schoolings is during the cold season, from June to October. At this time of year (also referred to as the dry season), the Humboldt Current flows through the area, bringing with it colder, nutrient-rich waters that are filled with plankton. As a result of the increase in plankton levels, there is more prey for the hammerheads to feed on. This means that up to 90% of the hammerhead population stay within the marine reserve around Darwin and Wolf islands. During other months, May and November for example, the population of hammerheads is still strong, with 65% of the hammerheads remaining within the reserve.
Unique highlights
This is one of the few places on Earth where scalloped hammerheads congregate to form schools of several hundred. This means there could be up to 300 hammerheads silhouetted above you during your dive. Not to mention sightings of Galapagos, whitetip, tiger and bull sharks, and even the odd whale shark.
What types of hammerheads do you see here?
The main hammerhead sharks that you'll see in the Galapagos are the scalloped hammerheads, but from time to time you may also spy a great hammerhead.
3. Diving with Hammerheads in Cocos Island, Costa Rica
Neck-and-neck with the Galapagos as the best location to see schools of scalloped hammerheads is Cocos Island in Costa Rica. Cocos Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Bajo Alcyone is many divers' top pick when it comes to diving with hundreds of scalloped hammerheads. The waters around Cocos Island tend to have stronger currents, and the deeper depths required for hammerhead sightings mean that these waters are better suited to experienced divers.
Best dive locations for hammerheads in Cocos Island
While you can spot hammerheads at various sites, the best place to see them is around Bajo Alcyone. Descend these waters to about 25 metres deep, find a nook to hook onto and then wait for the emerging silhouettes of hundreds of hammerheads to glide past. Another great site is Dirty Rock, an iconic spot thanks to its volcanic boulders, meandering hammerheads, marble rays and the occasional whale shark. The various species gather around the cleaning stations, so be sure to stay close to the rocks, around 30 metres deep, and watch the sharky show. Manuelita Island, off Cocos' northeast corner, is another fantastic location with colourful corals on the south side, while hammerheads, tiger sharks and mantas hang about on the north side. Head to Dos Amigo and Grande and Pequena, two islands off the west coast, for scalloped hammerheads followed by a swim under huge underwater arches.
Best time to see hammerheads in Cocos Island?
April to November is generally the best time to see hammerheads around Cocos Island. This is due to stronger currents, nutrient upwellings and lower visibility, which together form the perfect environment for hammerheads to gather.
Unique highlights
When diving in Cocos Island, you'll be diving in uncharted waters. With no other boats in sight, you can enjoy these calm waters and schooling hammerheads all to yourself.
What types of hammerheads do you see here?
Scalloped hammerheads are the most common species around Cocos Island, but you can also find some great hammerheads, smalleye hammerheads and smooth hammerheads, although sightings of these are much less frequent.
4. Diving with Hammerheads in the Banda Sea, Indonesia
The Banda Sea, situated in the heart of the Coral Triangle in Indonesia, is a pelagic paradise due to the nutrient-rich waters, dramatic drop-offs and lack of human presence. These waters can only really be enjoyed by liveaboard, making them slightly harder to access, but the benefit of this is untouched, fish-filled waters. As with any location and species, timing is crucial when it comes to seeing hammerheads here; and as you typically need to dive down to around 25-30 metres to see these sharks and there are moderate to strong currents, it's advised that you have your advanced open water certificate.
Best dive locations for hammerheads in the Banda Sea
The nutrient-rich waters of the Banda Sea mean that there are many places to spot hammerheads, but for a guaranteed sighting, head to Manuk Island, where you should keep an eye out for the large population of sea snakes when you're not watching the hammerheads. The Lucipara Islands are surrounded by crystal clear waters, famous for their deep walls and large groups of hammerheads. Finally, Suanggi Island is an explosion of underwater colourful reefs and strong currents, perfect conditions for hammerheads to seek out prey.
Best time to see hammerheads in the Banda Sea?
The best time to see hammerheads in the Banda Sea is during the cooler months, from September to November. At this time of year, the hammerheads come up to shallower waters in search of food, and luckily the visibility is optimal, reaching up to 30 metres. You can also spy these slinking beauties in April and May, and dodge some of the crowds when doing so.
Unique highlights
Slip below the surface early in the morning or in the evening for a dip with huge schools of hammerheads as they cruise by in the changing tides. And don't forget to turn your masked eyes to the reefs to spot some banded sea snakes hunting in the nooks and crannies.
What types of hammerheads do you see here?
The only type of hammerhead shark that you can see in the Banda Sea is the scalloped hammerhead.
5. Diving with Hammerheads in Socorro Island, Mexico
The Revillagigedo Archipelago, located off the west coast of Mexico, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, made up of towering underwater mountains, allowing currents that attract all forms of marine life, including scalloped hammerheads. Socorro Island is the largest of the four islands that make up this archipelago. The journey to get there is long, taking between 20 to 26 hours by boat, but the remote location rewards you with ample marine life.
Best dive locations for hammerheads in Socorro Island
There are five dive sites around Socorro Island, each with its own magic. Cabo Pierce is one of the most popular, with a reef that extends out into the current. Roca O'Neal, or Hammerhead Central, is a must. Here you can basically sit on a plateau at ten metres deep and watch as hammerheads, alongside other pelagic species, swim by.
Best Time to See Hammerheads in Socorro Island?
If you're looking to scuba dive with hammerheads in Socorro Island, then head here between April to June when the waters are at their warmest (around 27°C) and visibility reaches up to 30 metres.
Unique highlights
Alongside the hammerheads, while you're in these waters keep an eye out for whale sharks and white tip reef sharks. Socorro Island is also famous for its inhabitants of giant oceanic manta rays who come regularly to the island's cleaning station from November until June. There are visiting humpback whales and playful dolphins to swim with at this time of year too.
What types of hammerheads do you see here?
You'll find many, many, scalloped hammerheads in the waters around Socorro Island, but if you're lucky, you may also spy a solitary great hammerhead slinking within the blue. If you headed over to Mexico's east coast, however, you'd find scalloped bonnetheads and the bonnethead.
6. Diving with Hammerheads in the Maldives
As a nation renowned among divers for its big fish action, it's not surprising that the Maldives is one of the best places to swim with hammerheads. Although many divers flock here, the southern waters of this archipelago are rarely visited, meaning that the marine life flourishes undisturbed.
Best dive locations for hammerheads in the Maldives
Rasdhoo Atoll is famous for its schools of scalloped hammerheads around the atoll's cleaning stations, with Hammerhead Point and Rasdhoo Madivaru being two of the best sites. Fuvahmulah Atoll, nicknamed the Galapagos of the Maldives, is another must, especially if you want to encounter tiger and thresher sharks. The isolated nature of this atoll means that the waters are quiet, and the best sites are Tiger Zoo, Farikede and Thundi.
Best time to see hammerheads in the Maldives
While you can enjoy swimming with hammerheads in the Maldives year-round, the Northeast Monsoon from January to April brings the best conditions, as the waters are calmer and visibility reaches up to 40 metres.
Unique highlights
Get your cameras ready, because the glassy waters and sandy seafloor of the Maldives is the perfect backdrop for your hammerhead shark photos. And while you may have come for the hammerheads, you'll stay for the sightings of the elusive thresher sharks, mola molas, spinners and more. For the early risers, skip the morning coffee for a swim with the sharks in the early hours, as the cool upwelling of these waters attracts early hunters looking for prey.
What types of hammerheads do you see here?
Scuba diving with hammerhead sharks in the Maldives means epic encounters with scalloped hammerheads, who are seen in large groups around cleaning stations, and great hammerheads in the more remote waters around Fuvahmulah Atoll.
7. Diving with hammerheads in French Polynesia
French Polynesia is renowned for its bucket list shark diving adventures, so it's not surprising that hammerheads can be spied here. The secret to French Polynesia's huge population of sharks comes down to its strong connection to shark conservation and a complete ban on shark fishing.
Best dive locations for hammerheads in French Polynesia
For the best hammerhead diving in French Polynesia, head to Tiputa Pass in Rangiroa and the waters around Fakarava Atoll, as the strong currents here attract huge schools of hammerheads. For large groups of female great hammerheads, head to the Tuamotu Archipelago.
Best time to see hammerheads in French Polynesia?
The best time to see hammerheads in French Polynesia is during the austral summer, from December to March, with the best sightings in January and February. The stronger currents that flow in the Tiputa Channel during these months attract large groups of eagle rays, the ideal feast for the gathering hammerheads.
Unique highlights
Not only will you enjoy some time with hammerheads, but French Polynesia is also famous for its large populations of grey reef sharks and manta rays.
What types of hammerheads do you see here?
French Polynesia is home to two species of hammerheads, the scalloped and the great hammerhead.
8. Diving with Hammerheads in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is a biodiversity hotspot where you can see anything from macro marvels to hammerheads swirling in schools. The waters here are jam-packed with fish, so alongside the hammerheads, you'll spot reef sharks, schooling barracuda, eagle rays and manta rays. The best part? These waters are so remote that you'll be the only divers in sight.
Best dive locations for hammerheads in Papua New Guinea
Hammerheads are found in various spots around Papua New Guinea, especially sites around Tufi, such as Veales Reef and Cyclone Reef. The currents around Tufi's sites are plankton-rich, attracting the hammerheads who feed on the prey that frequent these waters. Milne Bay, in the southeast of Papua New Guinea, is also adored by hammerheads, thanks to its deep walls, vibrant reefs and strong currents to attract small and large animals.
Best time to see hammerheads in Papua New Guinea?
The best time to dive with hammerhead sharks in Papua New Guinea is from April to November
Unique highlights
Have you ever seen a white hammerhead? There is said to be a resident albino hammerhead in the waters around Tufi, although only a few people have been lucky enough to spot it. You'll have to grab your passport, tank up and go exploring to see for yourself…
What types of hammerheads do you see in Papua New Guinea?
You can find three species of hammerheads in Papua New Guinea: the winghead hammerhead, the scalloped hammerhead and the great hammerhead.
Understanding Hammerhead behaviour
Hammerhead sharks may be intimidating-looking animals, reaching 19ft in length and weighing up to 63 stone, but, on the whole, these are shy creatures who enjoy forming schools by day (unlike any other shark species) and hunting solo by night. Male hammerheads tend to be smaller than females and prefer bottom-dwelling hunting in shallow waters near coastlines. Females, on the other hand, tend to be bigger and hunt in open oceans in search of food. There are also vegetarian hammerhead sharks - the bonnethead is the only known omnivore and enjoys eating seagrass.
Evolution: Sharks emerged in the oceans around 350 million years ago, and while some strange-looking species existed during the Carboniferous Era, such as the stethacanthus - a shark that looked like it had an anvil on its head - and the eugeneodontida - a shark with a tooth whorl on the bottom of its jaw - sadly, these sharks are long extinct. Since then, most shark species have followed the same streamlined body shape, apart from the hammerhead. Hammerheads emerged around 20 million years ago and were a strange diversion from the shark body shapes that evolution had previously favoured.
Their odd-shaped heads: A hammerhead's head is called a cephalofoil, and the size varies from species to species. This shape is actually the shark's flattened, stretched-out skull, not just flesh. The smallest cephalofoil is on the bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo), also known as the shovelhead. The largest is on the winghead shark (Eusphyra blochii), whose head is so wide that it is almost half the size of the whole shark. On the tip of all of the hammerhead cephalofoils are their beady eyes, spread over a wide area. This placement provides more than a wide sense of vision, it allows the hammerheads to have advanced electromagnetic reception skills, making them expert hunters, navigators and schoolers. The shape of their heads also gives them an advantage when it comes to rapidly turning in the water, allowing them to have quick reactions and swift turns when hunting. Of all of the sharks, scalloped hammerheads have one of the biggest brain-to-body ratios.
Schooling behaviour: Unlike other shark species, during the day, hammerheads can form schools, sometimes in the hundreds. The majority of the hammerheads in these schools will be females. Here, hammerheads share a unique body language, which includes head shakes, torso thrusts and loop swimming, indicating the social hierarchy. The largest females tend to be in the middle while the smallest ones are on the outside. This is thought to be part of a mating ritual, and marine biologists have observed males breaking through to the middle of the school, thrusting their torsos at the central female in an effort to gain her attention for potential later mating.
Mating: Hammerhead sharks mate privately, and so only a few people have been lucky enough to witness this. Typically, the male swims alongside the female, holding onto her pectoral fins and inserting his clasper into her as she rolls over. Once done, they swim off in their separate ways. But females have a very clever organ - the oviducal gland - which allows them to store the sperm of up to three male hammerheads, which she can then use at a later time, when fertilisation is optimal, thus improving the survival rate of her pups.
Gestation: The gestation period for hammerhead sharks varies slightly depending on the species. Scalloped hammerheads carry their pups for about nine to ten months, although sometimes it can last up to a year; great hammerheads carry their pups for an average of 11 months, while bonnethead's typically have a five-month gestation period. The largest female hammerheads can carry up to three times as many pups as their smaller counterparts, so large females can carry up to 40 pups while smaller ones carry around 12. All hammerheads are viviparous, meaning that they give birth to live pups. Once the pups are born, they must be independent from the get-go. Due to the large number of predators who seek out baby hammerheads, sadly, most of the litter don't make it to adulthood.
Cleaning: Hammerheads have a great symbiotic relationship with smaller cleaner fish such as wrasses and barberfish. Like other large marine creatures, hammerheads pick up a lot of parasites that latch onto their skin. In an effort to clean these off, hammerheads head to cleaning stations, assume a posture that shows that they are in 'cleaning mode', so pose no threat. The small fish then gather around, do their job of removing the parasites, enjoying a tasty meal as they do so, and the hammerheads can then swim away parasite-free.
The Ten Hammerhead Species
There are ten recognised species of hammerheads within the oceans, each with its own unique appearance and character. Some only recognise nine species, but we like to include the winghead hammerhead on the list.
1. Scalloped Hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini
The scalloped hammerhead is one of the most common hammerheads and can generally be found year-round, particularly in the waters surrounding the Cocos Islands. They enjoy munching on squid, rays, barracudas and even small blacktip reef sharks. Despite being one of the most common species, scalloped hammerheads are sadly listed as critically endangered.
Average size: four-and-a-half to seven feet long, although the biggest ones are pretty big, reaching up to 14ft long and weighing up to 25 stone (160kg)
Average lifespan: 35 years
Conservation status: Critically endangered
Where to find them: Galapagos, Cocos Island, Maldives, French Polynesia
Numbers in the wild: There are no accurate numbers, but estimates say that the population has reduced by 50% in the last 70 years.
2. The Great Hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran
These are the largest and most iconic hammerheads, solitary by nature and typically found in warm, tropical waters near coral reefs and continental shelves. They like to feed on bony fish and favour stingrays.
Average size: up to 20ft long and can weigh up to 70 stone (450kg)
Average lifespan: 30 years, although one reportedly lived to 44 years old!
Conservation status: Critically endangered
Where to find them: Galapagos, Cocos Island, Bahamas
Numbers in the wild: potentially as few as 200
3. Scalloped Bonnethead, Sphyrna corona
The scalloped bonnethead is one of the smallest and rarest hammerheads. Its elusive nature means that we don't really know where or how they live, but we do know that they are found in the waters from Mexico to Peru, they feed on small fish and crustaceans, and they are presumed to be solitary.
Average size: three feet long
Average lifespan: no conclusive documentation
Conservation status: Critically endangered
Where to find them: Eastern Pacific
Numbers in the wild: unknown
4. Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena
The smooth hammerhead prefers cooler waters and is highly migratory, feeding on a mix of rays, smaller sharks and cephalopods. This species is shy and likes to avoid divers, so be very calm and still when you're diving with smooth hammerheads.
Average size: up to 13 feet long
Average lifespan: no conclusive documentation
Conservation status: Vulnerable
Where to find them: New Zealand, South Africa, the Canary Islands.
Numbers in the wild: unknown
5. Scoophead, Sphyrna media
The scoophead is a holy grail among shark lovers as it is rarely seen by divers. These hammerheads like to live in tropical waters and mangroves, munching on small fish and shrimp.
Average size: five feet long
Average lifespan: no conclusive documentation
Conservation status: Critically endangered
Where to find them: Brazil, Colombia, Trinidad & Tobago
Numbers in the wild: unknown
6. Smalleye hammerhead, Sphyrna tudes
The smalleye hammerhead likes to feed primarily on shrimp. As a result, it has a golden sheen, giving it the nickname of the Golden Hammerhead.
Average size: five feet long
Average lifespan: no conclusive documentation
Conservation status: Critically endangered
Where to find them: Brazil
Numbers in the wild: unknown
7. Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo
The bonnethead is one of the only two known omnivorous sharks, enjoying the simple pleasures of seagrass, alongside one or two small fish. The bonnethead is social, often seen swimming quickly in groups.
Average size: four feet long
Average lifespan: 16 to 17 years
Conservation status: Endangered
Where to find them: Bahamas, Gulf of Mexico
Numbers in the wild: unknown
8. Whitefin hammerhead, Sphyrna couardi
This is one of the most elusive hammerheads, and there is very little known about it due to its highly shy nature.
Average size: estimated nine feet in length
Average lifespan: no conclusive documentation
Conservation status: there is not enough data to know
Where to find them: Senegal, Guinea
Numbers in the wild: unknown
9. Carolina hammerhead, Sphyrna gilberti
The Carolina hammerhead was only discovered in 2013 and looks almost identical to the scalloped hammerhead but has fewer vertebrae. There is very little known about this species, but it is assumed to be similar to its look-alike, who are social and highly migratory.
Average size: 12 feet long
Average lifespan: no conclusive documentation
Conservation status: Likely vulnerable or endangered
Where to find them: Southeastern coastline of the USA
Numbers in the wild: unknown
10. Winghead hammerhead, Eusphyra blochii
The winghead hammerhead is the biggest-headed hammerhead shark, with the width of its head measuring almost half its total body length. This hammerhead enjoys living along mangrove-lined coasts and in shallow waters in the Indo-Pacific, and munches on small reef fish and crustaceans.
Average size: six feet long
Average lifespan: maximum of 21 years
Conservation status: Critically endangered
Where to find them: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Northern Australia
Numbers in the wild: unknown
Conservation and Protection Efforts
Despite being one of the most adored sharks by divers, more than half of the species of hammerheads are on the verge of extinction. Because they favour living close to continental shelves they have been overfished and have been one of the most vulnerable shark species to shark finning (a practice where sharks are caught, their fins are chopped off, and they're thrown back into the ocean). Meanwhile mangrove forests - a favourite habitat among many hammerhead sharks - have been depleted, limiting suitable environments for them to thrive.
Luckily, many countries, divers, NGOs and various organisations have come together to protect and restore these weirdly wonderful beauties. At COP26, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador and Panama announced that they would increase marine protected zones around some of hammerheads' favourite spots, such as the Cocos Islands and the Galapagos. The Galapagos Conservation Trust has expanded its marine reserve in order to protect the migratory routes and breeding grounds for hammerheads, in an effort to boost the population.
There are also efforts to increase research, protect habitats, enforce fishing restrictions and increase community engagement and education on this species to foster sustainable practices. When it comes to fishing regulations, there are efforts to reduce bycatch (when non-target species are unintentionally caught while fishing - a crucial issue when it comes to overfishing practices) and to enforce fishing bans during breeding seasons to allow more pups to survive. For fishing boats, efforts can be made to reduce bycatch by, for example, using turtle excluder devices in shrimp trawlers. Paying fisheries to release accidentally caught hammerheads have also been successful in reducing the number of bycatch deaths. Seasonal bans have been implemented in Peru to reduce the catch of juvenile sharks; meanwhile in Bimini in the Bahamas, biological field stations have established ID catalogues to monitor the population of hammerheads.
But, as divers and lovers of the oceans we can also do our bit. Always remember to dive with respect for hammerheads and all ocean creatures. Don't chase or touch them and remember that you're in their home, so treat it with respect. When it comes to choosing who to dive with, opt for responsible diving schools (top tip, we only work with responsible dive operators, so enquire with us to find how to dive responsibly with hammerheads), donate to conservation efforts that you come across, participate in Citizen Science when diving and choose not to consume shark products.
Diving Tips and Best Practices
Now that you're on your way to planning your hammerhead shark adventure, let's discuss some of the best practices when it comes to hammerhead shark diving.
First, follow the guidance of the operator - no reaching or touching and stay as calm and still as possible - Jacqui
Secondly, it is often best to passively observe if you see a school of hammerheads. They are often found in areas of high current, so follow the instructions of your dive guide, but hook onto some rocks if you can, then sit back and enjoy! Don't go chasing after the sharks or make lots of large excessive movements. - Jacqui
Thirdly, minimise distractions in the water. Leave the flashy jewellery on shore and tie back your long hair (if you have it). - Rachel
Finally, remember your breathing, take long, slow breaths to limit the bubbles and noise you make, this will also help to keep you calm and control your buoyancy, which is always your greatest asset. - Rachel
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast are hammerheads? A normal, leisurely pace for a hammerhead to swim is about one metre per second (which is only about two miles per hour), but they can ramp this up, sprinting at four metres per second (nine miles per hour) when they fancy it.
Why do hammerheads have such oddly shaped heads? The wide, flat head (called the cephalofoil) of hammerheads provides several advantages. It enhances their binocular vision, allowing for excellent depth perception and a nearly 360-degree field of vision. The head also acts as a sensory organ, packed with ampullae of Lorenzini, which are pores that detect electrical fields, helping them locate prey like stingrays buried in the sand. Additionally, the shape may aid in manoeuvrability and allow them to pin down their prey.
Are hammerheads dangerous to humans? Hammerhead sharks are large and they are predators, however they are typically shy and aren't considered a threat humans. Attacks are very rare and are typically the result of provocation or accidental attacks and there are no recorded fatalities.
Are hammerheads endangered? In short, yes. Hammerhead sharks are endangered, with almost every species being registered as vulnerable, while scalloped, great, scoophead and smalleye hammerheads are all listed as critically endangered. In the past 70 years there has been more than a 50% decline in the population of hammerheads in our oceans.
How many babies do hammerheads have in a lifetime? The number of pups that a hammerhead has in her lifetime varies depending on the species. Bigger hammerheads can typically have up to 42 pups in a litter and tend to give birth every two years.
Do hammerheads have parental care? Nope, once these pups are born, they are left to fend for themselves.
How do they give birth to their pups? The idea of giving birth to a hammerhead pup (or 42 depending on the size of the litter…) is a bit baffling considering the size of their heads. But evolution has found a way. When pups are born, their cephalofoil is soft and rounded, and the proper 'hammer' shape develops over time.
What do hammerhead sharks mainly eat? Most hammerheads are carnivores, eating mainly fish, squid, crustaceans and octopus. Bigger species such as the great hammerheads also enjoy rays and skates, while the bonnethead is the only omnivorous shark, munching on seagrass!
Do hammerhead sharks make noise? There has been some documentation of hammerheads making high-pitched clicking noises when foraging and it is thought that this could be a form of echolocation to help them identify food.
Do hammerheads communicate with each other? While they may not speak a language, hammerheads do communicate with one another through body movements and posture.
How old is the oldest hammerhead? The oldest hammerhead reported was 44 years old.
How big is the largest hammerhead shark? The largest hammerhead shark recorded reached up to a whopping 20ft long and weighed just under 70 stone (450kg). Although, her impressive weight was partially due to the 55 pups she was carrying…
What is the average age for a hammerhead? Hammerheads' lifespan varies depending on the species and their location, but typically they live for 20 to 30 years.
How deep can hammerhead sharks dive? Scalloped hammerheads have been recorded diving to impressive depths, reaching 800 metres.
What animals eat hammerheads? Hammerheads are typically eaten by other larger sharks, especially when they are young. Killer whales, orcas and sometimes dolphins can also pose threats.
What are baby hammerhead sharks called? Baby hammerheads are called pups.
How big is a baby hammerhead shark? When born, baby hammerheads (pups) are between 15 and 18 inches long.
Do hammerhead sharks attack? Yes, hammerheads can attack humans, but these are normally provoked or accidental. There are only 17 recorded attacks and no recorded human fatalities from hammerhead shark attacks.
Do hammerhead sharks sleep? Sort of. Hammerheads have to keep swimming in order to breathe. So, when they 'sleep' they have to remain in motion. Recent research now thinks that the 'sleep swimming' that these animals do is down to the spinal cord (as opposed to the brain) that keeps the shark moving. These animals typically 'sleep swim' facing into the current so that water can enter their mouths easily, allowing them a pretty restful snooze.