The hammerhead shark is one of the most well known animals in the ocean. This shark is actually a whole group of sharks with several different species. The largest of them is the great hammerhead, which averages about 4 meters (13.1 feet) in length. The smallest is the bonnethead shark, which is 1.5 meters (5 feet) in length.

The unique shape of its head is what really sets this shark apart from the rest. Anytime someone sees a hammerhead for the first time, they are likely to ask how and why they look like that. At first glance, most people would think that this unusual shape would be a detriment to its survival, but that is not at all the case.

In 2009, a study was done on two species of hammerhead sharks (winghead shark and scalloped hammerhead) to learn more about them. Specifically, the study found that the sharks had much larger fields of vision than other sharks.

The winghead shark had a massive field of vision of 48 degrees, and the scalloped hammerhead was still at an impressive 34 degrees. This is huge compared to the lemon sharks and blacknose sharks, which have fields of vision around 15 degrees.

Needless to say, having a wider field of vision is very helpful when it comes to hunting or evading a predator.

Another area where the hammerheads have advantages is with electroreception, which is a common ability of animals in the sea. These animals have an organ known as the ampullae of Lorenzini, which allows them to detect electrical fields in the water. These fields are generated by other animals in the sea.

Of the animals that have them, the organ is almost always located in the snout between the eyes. Since the hammerhead’s unique shape leaves a lot more room in that area, their organ is much bigger, which gives them the ability to better pinpoint the location of predators and prey alike.

One last benefit that the shape of their head seems to provide is the ability to make very rapid turns. By turning their head in specific ways, they can generate the lift or drag needed to adjust how they are swimming, giving them an edge over their prey.

In nature, anything that looks out of place can almost always be traced back to some type of evolutionary advantage, and that is definitely the case with these amazing sharks.

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