It is one of the most easily recognizable sharks in the ocean, thanks to its unusual head shape, which looks like a hammer with smooth curves and a series of “scallops” or notches along the front edge. This unique head, called a cephalofoil, isn’t just for looks—it gives the scalloped hammerhead some serious advantages. It helps the shark detect the tiny electrical signals given off by prey hiding in the sand and improves its ability to turn quickly and stay balanced in the water. Compared to other hammerhead species, the scalloped hammerhead has a more curved, wave-like head, and it’s generally slimmer and more graceful in shape.
What sets the scalloped hammerhead apart from other sharks—even from its hammerhead cousins—is its social behavior. While many sharks prefer to travel solo, scalloped hammerheads often form large groups, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. These schools are often seen during the day, especially near underwater mountains or coral reefs. It’s unclear why they gather like this, but scientists believe it might be for safety, communication, or even to find mates. At night, though, these sharks break away from the group and go off alone to hunt, a cool balance of social and solitary behavior you don’t often see in the shark world.
One fascinating thing about scalloped hammerheads is how smart and sensitive they are. Their wide-set eyes give them an almost 360-degree view of their surroundings, and their head is packed with sensory organs that help them track prey. They are known to hunt stingrays, squid, and schools of fish, using quick movements and sharp senses to strike with precision. Despite their size and hunting skills, they’re actually quite shy around humans. Divers often report seeing them just briefly before the sharks swim away. But when you do catch a glimpse, their smooth movements and curious shape make them unforgettable.
Distribution
Atlantic Ocean
Indian ocean
Pacific ocean
Gulf of Mexico
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Aruba
Australia
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belize
Benin
Bonaire Sint Eustatius And Saba
Bosnia And Herz.
Brazil
Brunei
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo-Brazzaville
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Curaçao
Côte D’ivoire
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
East Timor
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guatemala
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Kenya
Korea
Kuwait
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Macao
Madagascar
Malaysia
Maldives
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Montenegro
Morocco
Myanmar
Namibia
New Caledonia
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Philippines
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Réunion
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
St. Kitts & Nevis
Sudan
Suriname
Syria
São Tomé & Príncipe
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Trinidad & Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
UAE
United States
Uruguay
Venezuela
Vietnam
YemenRecent Updates
- This species profile was developed through the collaborative support of the Galapagos Science Center and Universidad San Francisco de Quito.
Anything we've missed?
Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!
Suggest an editGet to know me
Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / School
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
