What do hammerhead sharks use their hammer for

Scientific Name: Sphyrnidae. Type: Fish. Diet: Carnivore. Group Name: School, shoal. Size: 13 to 20 feet. Weight: to 1, pounds. Size relative to a 6-ft man:.

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Snakes Are Amazing! Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for Treehugger. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. Why hammerhead sharks have those heads: While their heads may look a little odd, there is a purpose for why hammerhead sharks have such broad heads, and it all comes down to hunting.

There are at least 10 species of hammerhead sharks. Their unique head shape has only recently evolved. Some hammerhead sharks travel in schools. They have great depth perception. Final Thoughts Hammerheads may not look like the most intimidating species, but the advantages they get from their heads more than make up for their unusual appearance. Sharks with wider heads have better binocular vision — all the better to track fast-moving prey like squid with far more accuracy than sharks with close-set eyes.

The research also shows that hammerheads — among other sharks — have a degree view of the world in the vertical plane, allowing them to simultaneously see prey above and below them.