Hammerhead sharksSphyrnidae

Hammerhead sharks are recognised by their distinctive flattened, laterally extended heads, known as cephalofoils. Their eyes are positioned at either end of this structure, with a small mouth located ventrally. Bodies are streamlined, typically grey to grey-brown dorsally, fading to white ventrally. Species in the group range from 1.5 m (5 ft) to over 4 m (13 ft) in length. The cephalofoil enhances sensory perception, particularly electroreception, and aids in manoeuvring and pinning prey.

These sharks inhabit offshore reefs and deeper reef slopes, often patrolling depths from 20 m to over 100 m (65-330 ft). While capable of ascending to shallower waters, they are primarily piscivorous, feeding on schooling fish, cephalopods, and rays. The Scalloped Hammerhead, commonly encountered in the 🌊 Red Sea, often forms large schools during the day before dispersing to hunt individually at night.