A shark’s anterior binocular vision allows it to see directly ahead, show the two eyes’ fields of vision overlap, and calculate the distance of its prey. Subscribe and 🔔 to the BBC 👉 the BBC first on iPlayer 👉 SUBSCRIBE to the OFFICIAL BBC. Dozens of hammerheads have been filmed by stunned locals at Palm Beach as well as off Burleigh Heads in recent weeks. Crystal Fox. "The first time we saw them would have been about 50 metres and then the whole group was swimming past our heads. The animal’s head is flattened and extended outwards in both. But what exactly do. 1. The longest great hammerhead shark measured at 20ft, and the heaviest weighed a whopping 1280 pounds! Great hammerhead sharks prefer shallow waters and are usually found up to 262 feet deep. The largest hammerhead shark ever measured was 14 feet, 7 inches long. Snorkellers' 'disheartening' behaviour. 1. From giant orchids to hammerhead sharks, the. Preferred Food Hammerhead sharks are active hunters, and eat fish such as grouper. 2. The Tropic is taking bookings now so get on in there. It was taken by 14-time Australian freediving record. 11. 6 metres, were found early today in a net set across Burleigh Lake after police asked the Department of Primary Industries to help find the killer shark. With their sandpaper skin, cartilage skeleton, electroreceptive sensors, and rows of dangerous teeth, sharks fascinate many people. The wide expanse of head allows for a broader spread of highly. The hammerhead shark weighs between 900 to 1280 lbs. net. Maxey and his team obtained a 505-pound reading from an 11-foot-long hammerhead, and an 864-pound reading from a nine-foot-long tiger shark. The Bahamas became a shark sanctuary in 2011 and is home to numerous hammerheads, plus bull, tiger, lemon, and reef sharks. It’s estimated a hundred scalloped hammerheads have been. Here are some species regularly encountered in the sounds. Unlike most sharks, many species of. Scalloped hammerheads are named for the dents on their hammer-shaped head or cephalofoil. Burleigh Heads sits like a cool comma between Surfers Paradise to the north and Coolangatta to the south. Brief Summary. Hammerhead sharks are found in temperate and tropical waters around the world. They also vary in habitat. blochii), which has one of the widest heads. This shark's distinctive head is designed for greater agility and panoramic vision, making the hammerhead a hunter to be reckoned with. Video recorded by Laurel Collofello shows her pan her camera to show the large school of juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks swimming near the ocean floor. 2 to 3. With that wide, thick head shaped like a double-headed hammer, it's easy to identify a hammerhead shark. Despite being two feet smaller than the hammerhead, the. blochii), which has one of the widest heads. One of the most unique features is the dorso-ventrally compressed and laterally expanded cephalofoil of the hammerhead sharks (Elasmobranchii,. The heads and body of a smalleye hammerhead are all painted in gold. A Gold Coast photographer is still pinching himself after having the “privilege” to swim with hammerhead sharks over the weekend at Burleigh Heads. 3 meters in length, with a top weight of 150 kilograms. Sharpnose sharks use Core Sound and other. The ancestor of all hammerhead sharks probably appeared abruptly in Earth's oceans about 20 million years ago and was as big as some contemporary hammerheads, according to a new study led by the. Sand tiger sharks have the lowest reproduction rate of all sharks and only have 1 or 2 pups every two to three years. Why Hammerhead Shark Heads Are "T" Shaped. Hit the Burleigh foreshore any day of the week, a hive of families and roaming entertainment, to make use of the water's edge barbecues with fresh produce from. Bimini, Bahamas, is the best place on the planet to see sharks up close. Summary: Female sharks can reproduce without having sex, scientists have found. I was looking down at the sand on the bottom, thinking how clear it was when a HUGE hammerhead swam straight under me, heading south. An insight into the evolution of the hammer that defines Hammerhead sharks. Consider the example provided by the wonderfully bizarre hammerhead sharks. Matt Growcoot. In March 2023 Ocean enthusiasts were thrilled when a hundreds of critically endangered sharks made an appearance at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. Seeker Land. The hammerhead gives a whole new meaning to “eyes in the back of your head”. Preferred Food Hammerhead sharks are active hunters, and eat fish such as grouper. By Jacqui Brooks , 6th February, 2019. Killer whales are apex predators because they lack natural prey. Malpelo. A shark recorded from above off Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. Here’s a rundown of. The body is stout and classically shark-shaped with a markedly tall, curved, first dorsal fin. These distinctive heads serve multiple purposes, including granting the sharks 360-degree vision as well as better hunting abilities. The eight species of hammerhead are among the most easily recognizable of sharks. A great hammerhead shark's two eyes can be 3 feet apart on opposite sides of its skull. The winghead hammerhead shark has the widest head. 1984. Key Points. With the majority of hammerhead catch being labeled as. Over time natural selection has actually shrunk the size of the hammer. From 1580 to 2012, 37 hammerhead shark attacks have been reported; 17 of these attacks were unprovoked. These sharks bear their name from the hammer-like shape of their heads, or cephalofoils, differentiating them from other shark species. 44s. However, they have been found at depths of 984 feet. Reproduction. 6 metres, were found early today in a net set across Burleigh Lake after police asked the Department of Primary Industries to help find the killer shark. The head of a hammerhead is broad, with a large protruding snout. In March 2023 Ocean enthusiasts were thrilled when a hundreds of critically endangered sharks made an appearance at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. A Gold Coast photographer is still pinching himself after having the “privilege” to swim with hammerhead sharks over the weekend at Burleigh Heads. Save. A scuba diver recorded a shiver of endangered scalloped hammerhead sharks swimming beneath her off the Gold Coast’s Burleigh Beach on April 3. The Bahamas became a shark sanctuary in 2011 and is home to numerous hammerheads, plus bull, tiger, lemon, and reef sharks. The great hammerhead. Share. A Mobula Ray, also called Manta Cubana, flying over. However, in real life, Finding Nemo’s sharks would not be friendly or vegetarian, and they would not live in a group! The photo featured at the. This question has persisted since hammerheads were first described over 200 years ago. While the smallest species, bonnethead shark, has an average size of 3. 9 ± 0. 1 m (20 ft). . The largest hammerhead shark ever recorded was a massive 14 feet 7 inches long, caught in 2019 by former professional golfer Greg Norman off Palm Beach, Florida. Top Six Places to Dive With Hammerheads. 0 meter). At least 10 sharks were spotted circling a bait ball off Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. Most tales put Big Mo at the old Bahia Honda Bridge, while others have claimed to spot it,. Dozens of scalloped hammerhead sharks have been swimming off Burleigh Heads since late March, so how close can you get to these sea. However, hammerhead shark pups held in a shallow seawater pond at the Hawaiʻi. Habitat. Filming location:. In an unprecedented look at perhaps the strangest, most captivating animals in the ocean, University of Florida scientists have documented how hammerhead sharks stretch and distort their skulls into their namesake hammer-like shape. 5 m (11 feet) long and weigh more than 230 kg (510 pounds). Hammerhead Sharks will also dine on the following: Smaller fish. Hammerhead sharks are best known for their long, rectangular heads. Why do hammerhead sharks have weird shaped heads? Join shark scientist Kristian Parton and Come and learn some facts about hammerhead sharks. MOBILE, Ala. The nine species of hammerhead shark. 3 m) at maturity. Gold Coast surfers have been treated to some extraordinary close encounters with critically endangered sharks in recent weeks. Cue the shark music — the Jaws theme song or Baby Shark — your choice! This sea wonder is dedicated to hammerhead sharks. 1 and 1. However, as it wasn’t brought ashore and measured, the catch remains unofficial. Watch. A scuba diver recorded a shiver of endangered scalloped hammerhead sharks swimming beneath her off the Gold Coast’s Burleigh Beach on April 3. Spectacular footage captures the moment groups of sharks swim together just off Burleigh Headland over the weekend. 5. Great hammerhead sharks can grow up to 20 feet in length and weigh over 1,000 pounds, however this is rare. Because of their distinctive shaped head, the hammerhead is easily identified by many coastal regions around the world. The great hammerhead is the largest of the hammerheads in the family Sphyrnidae. However, the scalloped hammerhead shark showed a wider trophic niche than the silky shark, with low trophic overlap (5%) between the two species. 7-kilometre light rail stage 3A will cost $709 million and take around three years to build. Hammerheads do not seek out human prey, but are aggressive hunters and will attack if provoked. Max Hinton, from Content Lion, caught the scene on his drone at Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Queensland on Friday. This unique characteristic makes them well-adapted predators. A Burleigh Heads woman has taken a risk diving into the ocean with a swarm of sharks. Hammerhead sharks are voracious predators and their mallet-shaped heads boost their ability to find that which they like to eat. Bonnethead hammerheads are the smallest species. There are 10 species of hammerhead sharks. Queensland beach-goers were given a scare this morning, as three sharks closed down a Gold Coast beach. More information: Naima Andrea López et al, Identification of the southernmost aggregation of scalloped hammerhead sharks ( Sphyrna lewini ) in Australia, Austral Ecology (2022). So nice of these Baby Hammerhead sharks at Burleigh Heads QLD Australia, to keep swimming right off shore for all of us to delight in their gorgeousness!Appa. A scuba diver recorded a shiver of endangered scalloped hammerhead sharks swimming beneath her off the Gold Coast’s Burleigh Beach on April 3. The Bluewater Travel team has selected the 4 most reliable locations in the world for scuba diving with hammerhead sharks: 1. Also known as land planarians or shovel-headed garden worms, their. A group of hammerhead sharks sent swimmers scurrying back onto their boats last week. Socorro Islands, Mexico. The hammerhead sharks are an unmistakable group of sharks that can be distinguished from all other fishes by the shape of their heads. • 27 days ago. Also, bony fish and crustaceans. hammerheads : Hammer Heads Maintenance and Contracting services in Dubai. Dropping a line into the serene waters off Burleigh Heads, about 200 bronze whalers were swarming. Hammerhead, copper and bull sharks were spotted by the photographers. Humans pose a greater threat to hammerhead sharks than vice versa due to overfishing for their fins, making conservation efforts essential. Why hammerhead sharks have a wide nose. A major difference between these two sharks is their appearance. The sharks close their gills to stay warm while hunting in deep, frigid waters, new research suggests. Known for their hammer-looking heads, the aptly-named great hammerhead is found in Tampa Bay and along Florida’s West Coast, the Eastern. They are threatened by commercial fishing, mainly for the shark fin trade. 09‰) (Estupiñán-Montaño et al. 11, 2023 at 4:16 PM HST | Updated : May. The massive creature swam super close to the shore and was caught on camera chasing some stingrays. We've had Hammerhead sharks hanging off Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast Australia. Scalloped hammerhead sharks are moderately large sharks with a global distribution. All About Science And Animals. All sharks have electrical sensors in their nose and heads called ampullae of Lorenzini, named for researcher Stephan Lorenzini. 2. 3. Steinbeck writes of a large shark which “cruised about us, his fin high above the water,” of large horned sharks, hammerhead sharks, basking sharks and “great numbers of sand sharks,” as well as great manta rays, sting rays, tuna, swordfish, urchins, morays and so very much more. Watch. Sporting wide, flattened heads known as cephalofoils with eyeballs bulging at each end, hammerhead sharks are among the. Long live summer on the Gold Coast, what a time to be alive. 11. Nature Reporter. 7 meters to 4. blochii), which has one of the widest heads. 1 m (20 ft). Here's a few shots we grabbed on the GoPro#shorts #shark #sharks #goldcoast #bur. On Wednesday, two South Carolina anglers caught and released a hammerhead shark. Hammerhead sharks are something of a curiosity in the animal kingdom, with their elongated heads and pinprick eyes. First study of hammerhead shark embryos shows how their heads develop their iconic shape. A great hammerhead shark can birth 6 to 42 pups at once . Other species try to be careful with them, as their excellent maneuverability given by the shape of their heads is advantageous compared to other sharks. Collofello told Storyful that she first swam with the sharks in March after local drone. Hammerhead sharks are something of a curiosity in the animal kingdom, with their elongated heads and pinprick eyes. Hammerhead sharks are found all over the world, in temperate and tropical waters, as well as far offshore and near shorelines. Orange Beach, Ala. Until recently, our understanding of their biology, movements, diet, and life histories was challenged by a lack of studies. These sharks bear their name from the hammer-like shape of their heads, or cephalofoils, differentiating them from other shark species. In colder waters with fewer food sources, the average great hammerhead might. Subscribe to newsletters Subscribe: $29. The sharks, measuring 2. The brood and the mother were likely already dead before they washed ashore, according to city officials. Nelson. Their distinct body shape makes them easy to identify as a genus, but fishermen have trouble telling the hammerhead species apart. The lifeguards then notified the swimmers to come in immediately, and no one was harmed. A female hammerhead shark has given birth without mating. Although these heads look cumbersome, hammerhead sharks feast on stingrays, bony fish, crabs, squid, and other marine. . You can tell it from other hammerheads by the ridges along the front edge of its head. Hammerhead sharks demonstrate a considerable variety in sizes and weights, with the most significant species measuring up to 20 feet long and weighing. Queensland MP for Burleigh, Michael. Crystal Fox less than 2 min read 10. Hammerhead sharks live all over the place! They go back and forth from the shoreline out to deep waters offshore. 7 meters to 4. It can grow up to 20 feet in length and weigh up to 1,000 pounds, although smaller sizes are more common. The winghead shark (Eusphyra blochii) is a species of hammerhead shark, and part of the family Sphyrnidae. That said, these types of encounters are still rare, and hammerhead sharks. The most distinguishing characteristic of this shark is its "hammer-shaped" head. Reaching a length of 1. Two great hammerheads, The Bahama Banks. They have a grayish-brown to light gray. 13 994 views 3 months ago BURLEIGH BEACH What an EPIC day at Burleigh Heads getting to swim with juvenile hammerhead sharks. We asked a biologist what it all means. Dozens of hammerhead sharks have been spotted off Burleigh Heads prompting swimmers to catch a glimpse A marine researcher says the hammerheads pose little threat but that 'bait balls' can pose a risk "We actually have juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks right next to the beach, we're talking about 40, 50 metres from the. The hammerhead species that branched off the earliest is the winghead shark (E. The Winghead Has the Widest Head (And It Might Be the Original Hammerhead) Also known as the slender hammerhead, the winghead has a particularly wide head. Burleigh Heads beach was closed twice on Thursday, first when a “four-foot shark” was spotted roughly 150 metres offshore at 8. The δ15N values of the scalloped hammerhead (15. Hammerhead shark babies come to the beach to please with humam. . This is the main reason that sand tiger sharks are critically endangered. Here we summarize and compare what is known on the biology and conservation of the three largest species of hammerhead sharks: the great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran), the scalloped hammerhead. wildlife 12:28pm Apr 24, 2023. Shark Culling. Their heads, not only in front and behind, but also above and below. Scalloped hammerhead sharks can dive to depths of more than 2,600 ft (800 m) to hunt for squid and other food. Commercial fishing is the biggest threat to hammerheads, with 370t of hammerhead sharks legally allowed to be caught every year in Australian waters (1). 9 to 6. A very good comparison of hammerhead shark heads photograph and other info on this page at the Florida Museum of Natural History. news. The signage included 10 small signs explaining the Indigenous uses for a variety of native plant life that occurs in the. These sharks have unique movement patterns, spending their nights in the deep ocean and their days in shallow coastal waters, with females often forming large social groups. Hammerhead sharks, or sphyrnids, are perhaps the most distinctive and unique of all sharks. Hammerhead sharks are apex predators, which means they are at the top of the food chain and have few natural predators. Dozens of hammerhead sharks have been spotted off Burleigh Heads prompting swimmers to catch a glimpse It comes as large schools of bait fish move up the coast, attracting sharks closer to shore A marine researcher says the hammerheads pose little threat but that 'bait balls' can pose a risk Swimmers, surfers and boaters all took to the water at Burleigh Heads on the southern Gold Coast last weekend after drones and underwater cameras spotted dozens of scalloped hammerheads cruising. 5 ft for females. A. Food choices vary amongst the numerous species of the hammerhead shark. Gold Coast ocean enthusiasts have had an incredible, up-close encounter with a critically endangered shark species after witnessing a magnificent swarming event at a popular beach. You may want to read to the end and watch the last video in this article, which shows a hammerhead shark attempting to attack two. The Bahamas is famous for its hammerhead shark diving and is the best place for great hammerhead shark encounters. 2, 2. The shark had reportedly found its way into a canal in Burleigh Waters which had swollen its banks after heavy rainfall in the area. The surfers caught the next wave into the shore. Until recently, our understanding of their biology, movements, diet, and life histories was challenged by a lack of studies. 2 meters). Hammerheads are a family of sharks that are known for their oddly shaped heads. She fought the 11. A Gold Coast photographer says he is still pinching himself after having the “privilege” to swim with hammerhead sharks over the weekend. The body is moderately compact and lacks a mid-dorsal ridge. This new shark species is relatively young and arrived roughly 25 million years ago, while other sharks roamed the ocean with dinosaurs. Location: Tropical Coastlines Worldwide. Researchers are looking for answers. Supplied: Olaf Meynecke. These sensors can detect weak electric emissions from other sea life. 38. : Drone footage of a shark sighting at Burleigh Heads. Hammerhead Sharks. And beyond smell and vision, these sensory organs are rather high-tech. With that wide, thick head shaped like a double-headed hammer, it's easy to identify a hammerhead shark. Seeker Land. Why hammerhead sharks have such funny heads - Of all the beautifully odd creatures, the hammerhead shark boasts perhaps the strangest of all cephalic physiques. Scalloped hammerhead sharks are pretty easy to recognize thanks to the multiple notches in their narrow heads, which look like a scallop shell. Beyond detecting hidden prey, these wide heads also allow for incredible eye-sight. A Dive into Hammerhead Sharks' Physical Traits. 3. The hammerhead species that branched off the earliest is the winghead shark (E. The sharks, measuring 2. The leader is Bruce, a great white; Anchor, a hammerhead; and Chum, a mako. 3:46. 1 metres) and an age of about 10 years. Hammerhead sharks demonstrate a considerable variety in sizes and weights, with the most significant species measuring up to 20 feet long and weighing. The wide spacing between the nostrils may help broad-nosed sharks track down their prey much quicker than sharks with smaller, pointy-shaped heads. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 15: 45-54. The great hammerhead shark is the largest of nine hammerhead species. RESOURCES. Photo By: LagunaticPhoto Next Up. Lifespan Hammerhead sharks can live 20-30 years. A great hammerhead shark can birth 6 to 42 pups at once . The great hammerhead is the largest of the nine identified species of this shark. It’s no secret that hammerhead and great white sharks rank at the top regarding their size. Why Hammerhead Shark Heads Are "T" Shaped. Physical description. However, even within this distinctive group the hammerhead sharks that make up the Sphyrnidae family have attracted a special attention due to the unusual shapes of their namesake heads, called. com. 105. This is due to the fact that while hammerhead species. As a family, they’re part of the most threatened sharks, with almost every species being either endangered or critically endangered. 9 ± 0. 09‰) (Estupiñán-Montaño et al. Sharks come in all shapes and sizes and perhaps the most unusual is the hammerhead shark, easily recognized by its oddly shaped head. au. Hammerhead sharks live all over the place! They go back and forth from the shoreline out to deep waters offshore. The eyes are located at the ends of the evenly rounded lobes of the flattened head, increasing the field of vision. Video recorded by Laurel Collofello shows her pan her camera to show the large school of juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks swimming near the ocean floor. Hammerhead sharks are best known for their long, rectangular heads. 9 feet (0. 6 meters) long on average. Also, the hammer shape of their heads allow them a sharper turn radius while swimming. The adults can reach 4 feet in length and are found both in estuarine and oceanic waters, usually during the summer and autumn. Greg Norman caught a massive tuna off the coast of Palm Beach, Florida in 2019. Nurse Sharks 10 Photos. The great hammerhead is the largest of the nine identified species of this shark. 2 feet. The winghead hammerhead shark has the widest head. The “hammer head”, or cephalophoil, is straight and square relative to the major axis of the body. 44s. Heart-stopping video footage shows a group of hammerhead sharks circling boaters and swimmers in shallows of the Gulf of Mexico off the Alabama coast over the weekend. This is a large West African species similar to the scalloped hammerhead. Sharks are among the best swimmers on the planet, but new research suggests that even. VIDEO. To fit a pregnant female with a tag, Salinas and his research team free dived as much as 10 to. (Supplied: Olaf Meynecke) Swimmers catch a glimpse. Bimini. Bull Sharks 10 Photos. Hammerhead sharks populate coastal areas and the edges of. Klimley, A. Only time and further research will tell for sure. and can grow 10 to 14 feet long. Short Summary. content language. 5-foot-long great hammerhead from the gulf of Mexico on May 5, 2009. Crystal Fox less than 2 min read Scalloped hammerhead sharks off the Gold Coast. An adult hammerhead weighs about as much as a piano. The best place to go hammerhead shark diving is Bimini, though they are also found (along with. 2 meters). Steinbeck writes of a large shark which “cruised about us, his fin high above the water,” of large horned sharks, hammerhead sharks, basking sharks and “great numbers of sand sharks,” as well as great manta rays, sting rays, tuna, swordfish, urchins, morays and so very much more. Squid. On average, they grow up to 13 feet. They can be found in almost any tropical water in the Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, and South China Seas. In terms of size, the largest hammerhead, as you might have heard, is the Great Hammerhead, which can reach up to 6 meters long as a fully grown adult (that’s almost. A 1,000 pound hammerhead was caught off South. interface language. Gold Coast ocean enthusiasts have had an incredible, up-close encounter with a critically endangered shark species after witnessing a magnificent swarming event at a popular beach. When it comes to unique shark shapes, nothing beats the hammerhead. Review. Threatened Species Status: Critically Endangered. Even so, the majority of the demonstrated aggressive behavior of this shark is based on defense and competition. They are also capable of swimming at speeds of up to 20 mph. Sealife enthusiasts on the Gold Coast have been in for a treat. Huge groups of hammerheads have been spotted close to shore hungry and on the hunt for warm water. The key differences between hammerheads and bull sharks lie in their appearance and habits. 7NEWS Gold Coast at 5. Due to their small size (compared to other shark species), most Hammerheads are harmless to humans. Situated between glistening Surfers Paradise and laid back Coolangatta, Burleigh Heads is famous for pumping surf breaks, towering pine trees and 'to be seen' hip dining. Hit the Burleigh foreshore any day of the week, a hive of families and roaming entertainment, to make use of the water's edge barbecues with fresh produce from. A hammerhead shark uses its wide head to trap stingrays by pinning them to the seafloor. (2017). When former footy players Ryan Davis and Matt Shaw took their boat out and dropped a line. • 27 days ago. Merchant was soaking a pan-sized frozen cownose stingray for bait when she hooked into the massive shark. Coral Spawning. Scalloped hammerhead Sharks Nets Out Now, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast Hype Digital All rays, including manta rays, stingrays and skates, are thought to have evolved from sharks. Although the cephalofoil’s exact function is unknown, it is thought to aid in the sharks’ mobility. They are most easily recognized by their distinct, hammer-shaped heads. BURLEIGH HEADS - EVERDAY, BEACHFRONT BURLEIGH HEADS. This shark's unusual name comes from the unusual shape of its head, an amazing piece of anatomy built to maximize the fish's ability to find its favorite meal: stingrays. Crustaceans. However, they have been found at depths of 984 feet. A Gold Coast photographer is still pinching himself after having the “privilege” to swim with hammerhead sharks over the weekend at Burleigh Heads. Heart-stopping video footage shows a group of hammerhead sharks circling boaters and swimmers in shallows of the Gulf of Mexico off the Alabama coast over the weekend. Why Hammerhead Shark Heads Are "T" Shaped. , D. Around a dozen can be seen swimming between Point Peron and Bird Island. 7 feet (0. Although commercial fishing is the biggest threat to the species, other divers who ventured over to Burleigh Heads on the weekend raised other concerns. Dozens of hammerheads have been filmed by stunned locals at Palm Beach as well as off Burleigh Heads in recent weeks. (Supplied: Olaf Meynecke) Swimmers catch a glimpse. The best place to go hammerhead shark diving is Bimini, though they are also found (along with. Their distinct body shape makes them easy to identify as a genus, but fishermen have trouble telling the hammerhead species apart. The great hammerhead is dusky brown to light gray on the dorsal. A Carolina hammerhead has fewer vertebrae and is genetically distinct from other hammerhead species. Sealife enthusiasts on the Gold Coast have been in for a treat. Australian Community Media. This is due to the hammerhead shark’s famous head shape. Scientific name: Sphyrna mokarran. A scuba diver recorded a shiver of endangered scalloped hammerhead sharks swimming beneath her off the Gold Coast’s Burleigh Beach on April 3. Hammerhead sharks attack people typically when they are surprised or startled. Dr Meynecke said he swam with the sharks. Once there you will see exactly what we mean by the Best Snorkel Tour Experience on the Great Barrier Reef. In recent years there has been a surge of published studies on this group of sharks, incorporating new information on age and. The surprising appearance of hammerheads hunting off a popular Gold Coast beach is the most significant shark. The great hammerhead shark is the largest of all nine hammerhead species, reaching an average length of 13. The scalloped hammerhead ( Sphyrna lewini) triples that and sees stereoscopically across a sweep of 32 degrees. 3. While more than 400 species of sharks are found worldwide today, about 170 of them inhabit Australian seas, from the world’s largest, the whale shark, to one of the smallest, the pygmy shark, and of course, the equally fascinating and fearsome great white. VIDEO. Cocos Island, Costa Rica. Location: Tropical Coastlines Worldwide. Lifespan Hammerhead sharks can live 20-30 years. high position in the marine food chain. Snorkellers' 'disheartening' behaviour. m. In 1942, some scientists have suggested that the hammerhead's eyes are so far apart that their visual fields couldn't possibly overlap. Great Hammerhead Shark. Hammerhead sharks are found in temperate and tropical waters around the world. Huge groups of hammerheads have been spotted close to shore hungry and on the hunt. For instance, this occurs when a person is spearfishing and gets mistaken for a fish. A dead loggerhead turtle on Burleigh Beach likely attracted the shark. Why do hammerhead sharks have hammer. Gold Coast ocean enthusiasts have had an incredible, up-close encounter with a critically endangered shark species after witnessing a magnificent swarming event at a popular beach. The shark is bronze-colored on top and white below predator creature, but its most identifying feature is the “hammerhead. The body is stout and classically shark-shaped with a markedly tall, curved, first dorsal fin.