3. These rounded heads give smooth hammerhead sharks superior depth perception and a 360-degree view of their surroundings. The surfers caught the next wave into the shore. They are most easily recognized by their distinct, hammer-shaped heads. The largest species, great hammerhead shark, have a maximum size of up to 20 feet (6. The wide expanse of head allows for a broader spread of highly. The wide spacing between the nostrils may help broad-nosed sharks track down their prey much quicker than sharks with smaller, pointy-shaped heads. Picture: Instagram The four-foot-long creature is believed to have been lured to the beach by the scent of a decomposing. . Behavior. The species is typically nomadic in its movements compared to other hammerheads, and migrates to cooler waters in the summer months. Plus, attoseconds physics wins Nobel Prize and a huge new satellite outshines nearly every star in the sky. (Supplied: Olaf Meynecke) Swimmers catch a glimpse. Known for their hammer-looking heads, the aptly-named great hammerhead is found in Tampa Bay and along Florida’s West Coast, the Eastern. Average Size: 5 to 6 feet. Shortfin Mako Sharks 10 Photos. Locals and visitors alike flock here for world-class point break, unbeatable beaches, lively cafe and dining scene, nature walks and the all. Now, aerial vision just off the headland at Burleigh Heads has confirmed that sharks have been cruising in the shallows. Due to their small size (compared to other shark species), most Hammerheads are harmless to humans. Once there you will see exactly what we mean by the Best Snorkel Tour Experience on the Great Barrier Reef. 9 to 1. Meet the scalloped hammerhead shark. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Hammerhead Sharks. 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. All sharks have electrical sensors in their nose and heads called ampullae of Lorenzini, named for researcher Stephan Lorenzini. With the majority of hammerhead catch being labeled as. These sensors can detect weak electric emissions from other sea life. This shark can be found at depths ranging from three to 182 meters (10 to 600 feet). Also known as killer whales, orcas are significantly smaller than blue whales or sperm whales but larger than dolphins and porpoises. Hammerhead shark babies come to the beach to please with humam. - ( OBA) - Today, we bring. From 1580 to 2012, 37 hammerhead shark attacks have been reported; 17 of these attacks were unprovoked. 7NEWS Gold Coast at 5. A great hammerhead shark can grow to be as long as 6 meters. The hammerhead sharks are a group of sharks that form the family Sphyrnidae, named for the unusual and distinctive form of their heads, which are flattened and laterally extended into a cephalofoil (a T-shape or "hammer"). high position in the marine food chain. Preferred Food Hammerhead sharks are active hunters, and eat fish such as grouper. This is due to the hammerhead shark’s famous head shape. Perhaps this unusual shape gives the. RESOURCES. LOCATION: Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads (you won’t miss it) HOURS: 12pm to 12am daily. Coastal and deepwater, near the bottom and in the water column, from the surface to depths of over 6,000 ft. r/GoldCoast. Hammerhead sharks have a traditional appearance aside from their wildly unusual heads, which resemble an obvious tool in everyone’s toolbox. Hammerhead sharks are apex predators, which means they are at the top of the food chain and have few natural predators. Despite being two feet smaller than the hammerhead, the. Hammerhead worms are a terrestrial flatworm with a half-moon shaped head, not unlike the similarly named hammerhead sharks. Shovel or bonnet-shaped head, making identification easy among other hammerhead sharks. Diel movement patterns of the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewim) in relation to E1 Bajo Espiritu Santo: a refuging central-position social system. 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. 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 can grow up to 20 feet long and weigh over 1,000 pounds. 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. Dr Meynecke from Griffith University's Coastal and Marine Research Centre said about 40 scalloped hammerhead sharks have been swimming off Burleigh Heads since late March. An adult hammerhead weighs about as much as a piano. With the majority of hammerhead catch being labeled as. 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. Their theory was backed up by video of scalloped hammerhead sharks swimming at a depth of more than 3,400 ft (1,044 m), with their gills tightly shut, compared with images of them at the water’s. The wide, hammer-shaped head gives these sharks their common name, and the scalloped hammerhead is named for the notches found along the front edge of its head. They can be found in almost any tropical water in the Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, and South China Seas. Of the nine known species, several are endangered, including the scalloped. Hammerhead Sharks will also dine on the following: Smaller fish. While they have an unparalleled ability to hunt, hammerhead sharks are also very skilled scavengers and will often feed on the. Crystal Fox less than 2 min read10. (Nine News) "There are sharks out there, we saw a 5-metre great white off. 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. Claimed. 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. The Scalloped Hammerhead Shark sometimes forms large migratory schools. The winghead hammerhead shark has the widest head. Sharks are thought to be the most abundant on the Darwin and Wolf Islands, with the highest density anywhere in the world. The δ15N values of the scalloped hammerhead (15. Reaching a length of 1. 30pm and 6pm. Hammerheads are a family of sharks that are known for their oddly shaped heads. Queensland beach-goers were given a scare this morning, as three sharks closed down a Gold Coast beach. 1 feet (4 m) and weight of 500 pounds (230 kg). Hammerhead sharks are the most common shark species. A female hammerhead shark is a species of shark that is distinguished by its unique shape, similar to that of a hammer. Review. A Surf Lifesaving spokesperson said they had also. Hammerhead sharks are known to feed on a wide range of animals, including fish, crustaceans, mollusks, squid, and even other sharks. Hammerhead sharks, or sphyrnids, are perhaps the most distinctive and unique of all sharks. We took. 7 feet (0. ” Legend has it the 18-foot Great Hammerhead had eyeballs “as big as baseballs” and weighed close to 1,000 pounds. The team found that the hammerhead was carrying 40 pups, each around 1. Shark Culling. Great Hammerhead Shark. Dozens of hammerheads have been filmed by stunned locals at Palm Beach as well as off Burleigh Heads in recent weeks. 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. Galapagos Archipelago. Hammerheads are found worldwide in warmer waters along coastlines and continental shelves. The body is moderately compact and lacks a mid-dorsal ridge. The shark's eyes and nostrils are located at the extreme ends of its head. The heads and body of a smalleye hammerhead are all painted in gold. A hammerhead caught in shark nets off the Gold Coast in 2019. The hammerhead shark weighs between 900 to 1280 lbs. He said it was the most significant shark activity in the area for more than 15 years and there had actually been about 40 scalloped hammerhead sharks swimming off Burleigh Heads since late March. Spectacular footage captures the moment groups of sharks swim together just off Burleigh Headland over the weekend. They are. In fact, the placement of their eyes gives them 360 degree vision! These sharks can see what’s above, below, or behind them at all times. Hammerhead, copper and bull sharks were spotted by the photographers. . However, they have been found at depths of 984 feet. A Burleigh Heads woman has taken a risk diving into the ocean with a swarm of sharks. Here’s a rundown of. 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 great hammerhead shark is the largest of all nine hammerhead species, reaching an average length of 13. 9. Because of their characteristic hammer-shaped heads, or cephalofoils, hammerhead sharks are among the most distinctive and recognized shark species. The key differences between hammerheads and bull sharks lie in their appearance and habits. This unique characteristic makes them well-adapted predators. Although commercial fishing is the biggest threat to the species, other divers who ventured over to Burleigh Heads on the weekend raised other concerns. They are about 13 feet long and 500 pounds. ympev. The little scalloped hammerhead shark is out cold, impervious to the rubber tube that’s being passed into its tiny nasal cavity and wiggled into position next to a set of electrical sensors. One of the most unique features is the dorso-ventrally compressed and laterally expanded cephalofoil of the hammerhead sharks (Elasmobranchii,. 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. Even solitary sharks. 5:30pm Dec 15, 2021. In recent years there has been a surge of published studies on this group of sharks, incorporating new information on age and. 2. However, the nares of whale sharks are actually larger and more widely separated than even the largest hammerhead. It’s estimated a hundred scalloped hammerheads have been congregating in the water at Burleigh Heads. 45am and again when two sharks “believed to be dangerous. Because of their distinctive shaped head, the hammerhead is easily identified by many coastal regions around the world. really awkward-looking ones — specifically, the nine species of. Dr Michelle McComb. Threatened Species Status: Critically Endangered. When swimming, the head rolls from side to side. This is due to the fact that while hammerhead species. A great hammerhead can travel up to 3. 6 m (15 ft) and reaching a maximum length of 6. Short Summary. The scalloped hammerhead shark is another of the larger hammerhead species. The width of the head is 23-28% of the hammerhead shark’s body length. The largest recorded weight of a hammerhead shark is 991 pounds. They also vary in habitat. The great hammerhead is the largest of the nine identified species of this shark. Most research on hammerheads has focused specifically on their laterally expanded heads, or cephalofoil, and how they use it to see and smell as well as its effects on hydrodynamics and sensory. Explore the world of the strange-looking Hammerhead shark. The footage showed sharks close to the surface circling one of the fish bait balls. As mentioned, this species of shark has a head that is wide like the head of a hammer and then a long handle as it goes back to the rest of the body. Hammerheads are a family of sharks that are known for their oddly shaped heads. Most tales put Big Mo at the old Bahia Honda Bridge, while others have claimed to spot it,. Burleigh Heads sits like a cool comma between Surfers Paradise to the north and Coolangatta to the south. The main dive area for hammerhead shark diving is Malpelo Island, where divers can enjoy hammerheads in schools of up to 300 sharks, plus Galapagos sharks, whale sharks, silky sharks, reef sharks and huge schools of fish. The smooth hammerhead shark is one of the larger hammerhead species, reaching average lengths of 8 to 11. This is the Member for Fadden (From Stapylton and Stradbroke down to Labrador and Parkwood). A scuba diver recorded a shiver of endangered scalloped hammerhead sharks swimming beneath her off the Gold Coast’s Burleigh Beach on April 3. Average Size: 5 to 6 feet. The adults can reach 4 feet in length and are found both in estuarine and oceanic waters, usually during the summer and autumn. Food choices vary amongst the numerous species of the hammerhead shark. Great hammerheads are much less shallow-water sharks than bonnetheads are. In 2019, the Threatened Species Scientific Committee undertook a review of the listing’s implementation. 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 bonnetheads at the aquarium were all female, and in 2001, one of them had a virgin birth, that is to say, birth without the contribution of a male. 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. Join us on the modern, roomy new Reef Empress, our 35 metre catamaran that takes you directly to the only navigable lagoon on the Great Barrier Reef, Lady Musgrave Lagoon. Crystal Fox. The adults can reach 4 feet in length and are found both in estuarine and oceanic waters, usually during the summer and autumn. 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. (JP/Jerry Adiguna) I pointed my underwater camera toward dozens of hammerhead sharks lining up in front of my eyes. 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. Of the nine known species, several are endangered, including the scalloped. These lobes contain specialized muscles and connective tissue and are. Hammerhead sharks, despite their intimidating names, are notoriously shy. 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. Scalloped hammerheads are carnivorous, eating fish, cephalopods, crustaceans, and smaller sharks and rays, and have a lifespan of up to 55 years. A hammerhead caught in shark nets off the Gold Coast in 2019. On Wednesday, two South Carolina anglers caught and released a hammerhead shark. The best place to go hammerhead shark diving is Bimini, though they are also found (along with. Tiger Sharks 10 Photos. 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 live along coastlines and continental shelves. The Scalloped Hammerheads form is a large, slender shark ranging from 3. Huge groups of hammerheads have been spotted close to shore hungry and on the hunt. 1 m (20 ft). 2. • Atlantic sharpnose sharks ( Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) are among the most common in North Carolina waters. Burleigh Heads beach was closed twice on Thursday, first when a “four-foot shark” was spotted roughly 150 metres offshore at 8. 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. Dorsal fin tall with moderately curved rear margin Small second dorsal fin with origin behind anal fin originHammerhead Shark Description. While swimming in cold, deep waters, scalloped hammerhead sharks have an unusual way of. ( WALA) -A hammerhead shark showed out in Orange Beach Monday morning. Its name comes from its exceptionally large "hammer", or cephalofoil, which can be as wide as half of the shark's total length. The great hammerhead shark is the largest of them all, and can grow up 20 feet, although this is very rare. Scalloped. Collofello told Storyful that she first swam with the sharks in March after local drone. Possibly one of the most bizarre facts about hammerheads involves a bonnethead shark in captivity at an Omaha, Nebraska aquarium. VIDEO. Dr Meynecke from Griffith University's Coastal and Marine Research Centre said about 40 scalloped hammerhead sharks have been swimming off Burleigh Heads since late March. net. 9 ± 0. These sharks all have a unique. Hammerhead sharks can be found on the coast and continental shelves all over the world in warmer waters. 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 beach," he said. This is the only known pink manta ray in the world. Subscribe: scalloped hammerhead shark ( Sphyrna lewini) was listed in the Conservation Dependent category of the EPBC Act in 2018. They generally stay near coral reefs and along continental shelves but often roam in between shallow water and deep water indiscriminately. Hammerhead, bronze whaler and bull sharks were spotted by the photographers. Habitat. 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. The 10 diverse hammerhead shark species are all distinguished by this peculiar head form. The great hammerhead. The great hammerhead shark has a hammer-shaped head, while the great white shark has a pointy snout and streamlined body. A Burleigh Heads woman has taken a risk diving into the ocean with a swarm of sharks. Found in the warm waters around Central America, Southern America, Africa, Asia, and Australia, hammerheads live for around 20 to 30. Thus, you would be able to differentiate a hammerhead from a bull shark at a. Here are some species regularly encountered in the sounds. At least 10 sharks were spotted circling a bait ball off Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. Top Six Places to Dive With Hammerheads. 7-kilometre light rail stage 3A will cost $709 million and take around three years to build. The bonnethead shark ( Sphyrna tiburo ), also known as the bonnet shark, bonnet nose shark, and shovelhead shark is one of nine species of hammerhead sharks. "The first time we saw them would have been about 50 metres and then the whole group was swimming past our heads. Then out of nowhere: the hammer. The winghead hammerhead shark has the widest head. Meanwhile, just a hundred metres offshore at Burleigh Heads, a stand-up paddleboarder caught dozens of scalloped hammerhead sharks on camera. 5. Great Hammerhead. Baby hammerhead shark caught at Ramsgate. While the smallest species, bonnethead shark, has an average size of 3. The shark's eye placement, on each end of its very wide head, allows it to scan more. 7 meters to 4. 01. Hammerhead sharks ( Sphyra) are one of the most distinguishable sharks in the oceans. , 1993). The Committee proposed that scalloped hammerhead shark be added to the Finalised Priority Assessment List, which. ”. The great hammerhead is the largest of the nine identified species of this shark. In more modern times the record for the largest hammerhead shark ever caught in Florida goes to Captain Bucky Dennis who hauled in a 1,280-pound, 14. 1 m) and a maximum known weight of up to 20 tons (20 metric tons). The massive creature swam super close to the shore and was caught on camera chasing some stingrays. Hammerhead sharks are voracious predators and their mallet-shaped heads boost their ability to find that which they like to eat. We've had Hammerhead sharks hanging off Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast Australia. 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. 4 metres) and an age of about 15 or 16 years. Updated January 18 2022 - 12:32pm, first published January 17 2022 - 4:57pm. Sharks have an excellent sense of hearing with ears located inside their heads on both sides rather than external ears like humans. 5 m) and a. A group of hammerhead sharks sent swimmers scurrying back onto their boats last week. , D. Close encounter: A baby hammerhead shark caught at the southern end of. Scalloped hammerhead sharks can dive to depths of more than 2,600 ft (800 m) to hunt for squid and other food. interface language. Diet. 260 reviews #79 of 84 Restaurants in Burleigh Heads $$ - $$$ Fusion Australian. Orca Whales. It’s difficult for scientists to trace the evolution of modern day hammerhead sharks because almost all shark fossils are teeth and nothing. Physical description. Hammerhead sharks are among the most intriguing yet imperiled groups of large sharks globally. Also, bony fish and crustaceans. Shark Culling. Hammerhead sharks are aptly named for their very distinctive hammer-shaped heads. A great hammerhead shark's two eyes can be 3 feet apart on opposite sides of its skull. Cocos Island, Costa Rica. Why do hammerhead sharks have weird shaped heads? Join shark scientist Kristian Parton and Come and learn some facts about hammerhead sharks. There are different types of hammerhead sharks. Known best and named for their oddly-shaped heads, hammerhead. Two great hammerheads, The Bahama Banks. Natura Pacific was engaged by Lendlease Communities to create a suite of interpretive signage focussed on the Indigenous history and culture of the landscape surrounding the newly emerging Yarrabilba community in Logan Shire. A sixth sense that all sharks have. Bull sharks have rounded bodies and small eyes, while hammerheads have larger bodies and distinct hammer. The heads and body of a smalleye hammerhead are all painted in bright gold. 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 a group of nine shark species out of more than one. Also known as the kinky-headed shark, southern hammerhead, or bronze shark, the scalloped hammerhead lives at depths of up to 1,600 feet and reaches lengths of between 5 and 6 feet on average. Bull sharks have rounded bodies and small eyes, while hammerheads have larger bodies and distinct hammer-like heads with their eyes on the sides. A Gold Coast photographer is still pinching himself after having the “privilege” to swim with hammerhead sharks over the weekend at Burleigh Heads. These sharks reside in oceans worldwide, particularly in warm waters and near the coast. After blocking some of the animals' nostrils, the scientists then took the animals on a cruise to deeper waters. 5 ft for females. 5 to 3. Watch. 5-foot-long great hammerhead from the gulf of Mexico on May 5, 2009. Supplied: Olaf Meynecke. "We actually have juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks right next to the beach, we're talking about 40, 50 metres from the beach," he said. 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. What do they us. m. 1 m) long, and the heaviest great hammerhead shark ever recorded was 991 pounds (450 kg). Queensland beach-goers were given a scare this morning, as three sharks closed down a Gold Coast beach. 7 feet (0. Male Scalloped Hammerheads reach sexual maturity at a length of 6 to 7 feet (1. In their 400 million year evolutionary history, elasmobranch fishes (sharks, skates and rays) have evolved a rich morphological diversity (Karatajute-Talimaa, 1992; Capetta et al. This is the Member for Fadden (From Stapylton and Stradbroke down to Labrador and Parkwood). and can grow 10 to 14 feet long. 5 feet (0. • 27 days ago. For instance, this occurs when a person is spearfishing and gets mistaken for a fish. November 6, 2022. 3a/43 Goodwin Terrace, Gold Coast, Queensland 4220 Australia +61 7 5661 9050 Website Menu. Hammerhead shark. Save. . Around a dozen can be seen swimming between Point Peron and Bird Island. net. Some hammerhead sharks travel in schools. They are about 13 feet long and 500 pounds. Hammerhead sharks, caught both in the longline and purse seine fisheries, are among the top shark species caught in the eastern Pacific Ocean. 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 the. One of the most striking animals in our waters is the hammerhead shark. Their maximum length is about 990 pounds. Sharpnose sharks use Core Sound and other. Great hammerheads are. More news. Two distinct population segments of the scalloped hammerhead shark are. Hammerhead Shark Worksheets. A great hammerhead shark can birth 6 to 42 pups at once . When former footy players Ryan Davis and Matt Shaw took their boat out and dropped a line. A small percentage of the population, mostly or all females, are much larger. Filming location:. 9 million years ago!. The most significant issue is the problem of hydrodynamic drag, which has been observed to be higher in hammerheads than in other sharks due to their wide heads and narrow bodies. Date: May 23, 2007. To Top. The key differences between hammerheads and bull sharks lie in their appearance and habits. 9 feet (0. It was taken by 14-time Australian freediving record. However, the great white shark weighs 2540 to 4938 lbs. abc. Nature Reporter. Dr Michelle McComb. Photo By: LagunaticPhoto Next Up. Summary: Why the peculiar head shape of the hammerhead shark developed as it did has been the subject of much speculation. It’s a picturesque punctuation mark along the Gold Coast and most definitely somewhere to pause. (Supplied: Olaf Meynecke) Swimmers catch a glimpse. Dropping a line into the serene waters off Burleigh Heads, about 200 bronze whalers were swarming. The hammerhead shark, also known as mano kihikihi, is not considered a man-eater or niuhi; it is considered to be one of the most respected sharks of the ocean, an aumakua. The best place to go hammerhead shark diving is Bimini, though they are also found (along with. 9. 1. 0 meter). Their teeth are serrated and tiny. (Supplied: Olaf Meynecke) Swimmers catch a glimpse. 4. However, they have been found at depths of 984 feet. Socorro Islands, Mexico. and midnight, several coral species at the Flower Garden Banks sanctuary participate in a mass spawning event. Hammerhead sharks do not attack people, as humans are not their normal prey, but instead hammerheads will aggressively hunt down other sharks, rays, tarpon, smaller fish, octopuses, squid and crustaceans. Top Stories. : Drone footage of a shark sighting at Burleigh Heads. The great hammerhead sharks vary in colors – you’ll find them in shades of dark brown, olive to light gray, with a typical colored white underside. 11, 2023 at 4:16 PM HST | Updated : May. With their uniquely shaped heads, rising up from the deep, often in vast, mysterious schools, they are at the top of every diver’s wishlist. The great hammerhead is the largest of the hammerheads in the family Sphyrnidae. These formidable creatures inhabit warm tropical and. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution , 2010; 55 (2): 572 DOI: 10. Excitement on Bird Island today. By Jacqui Brooks , 6th February, 2019. The hammer-like shape of the head means that hammerhead sharks can sweep for prey more effectively. The group of hammerheads was not the only impressive shark school spotted at Burleigh Heads on Sunday. Their diet also includes turtles, stingrays, and seabirds. 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.