The great hammerhead shark matures between the ages of five and nine years old and grows more quickly than the other hammerhead species. Every two years, great hammerheads reproduce internally and give birth to live offspring, ranging in number from six to 42 pups. They may live up to 44 years and potentially longer if they are not endangered by fisheries or preyed upon by larger shark species, such as great hammerheads. Large hammerhead sharks have been reported attacking individuals, despite the fact that they are typically not thought to be harmful. The majority of those attacked were spearfishers, thus it’s possible that the sharks were drawn to the blood of the speared fish. However, swimmers and divers should respect and stay away from huge hammerhead sharks. Large hammerhead sharks have been reported attacking individuals, despite the fact that they are typically not thought to be harmful. The majority of those attacked were spearfishers, thus it’s possible that the sharks were drawn to the blood of the speared fish. However, swimmers and divers should respect and stay away from huge hammerhead sharks. Shocking drone footage on a Youtube Short shows just how large these animals can become. The largest hammerhead shark is this one. Although the average shark met by divers is between 10 and 14 feet long, they can grow to a length of at least 18.3 feet and as much as 20 feet. Males reach maturity at a length of 7.7 to 8.8 feet, whereas females reach maturity at 8.2 to 9.8 feet.
How Hammerhead Sharks Hunt
In 2006, fishermen broke a record when they caught a 13 ½ foot hammerhead shark that was a whopping 1,280 pounds! Though the one in this video is much smaller, it’s still large for the oceanic species. Eels, numerous fish species, squid, and crustaceans like lobsters make up the food of hammerhead sharks. They also have a preference for stingrays and don’t appear to be affected by the stingrays’ poisonous barbs. When hammerheads are hunting, their heads’ lateral extension also enables their hammers to pin and bash stingray prey against the ocean floor until the stingray becomes exhausted and can be eaten. Additionally, hammerheads have highly sensitive electroreceptive organs that let them pick up on tiny electrical impulses from potential prey. It’s not common to see this type of shark so close to the surface. A comment under the video reads, “Hammerhead sharks are designed bottom feeders on shellfish, crustaceans, and fish hiding under the sandy bottom. But when hungry and when there is a shortage of preferred prey they will eat anything.”
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