Smooth Hammerhead Shark Skull

Description

Smooth Hammerhead Shark Skull measures 4.7 inches. Smooth Hammerhead Shark Skull is museum quality polyurethane Cast. Made in USA. Sphyrna zygaena is the scientific name. The replica includes the jaw. Original cast is from private collection. Our precise skull can be used as a teaching tool, museum skull exhibit, home decor skull, or office decor skull.

The Smooth hammerhead shark, Mano kihikihi or Sphyrna zygaena is a species of hammerhead shark, and part of the family Sphyrnidae. This species is named “smooth hammerhead” because of the distinctive shape of the head, which is flattened and laterally extended into a hammer shape (called the “cephalofoil”), without an indentation in the middle of the front margin. This species prefers temperate waters and occurs worldwide at medium latitudes.

The Smooth hammerhead shark or Sphyrna zygaena typically measures 8.2 to 11.5 feet long. They differ from other large hammerheads in the shape of its cephalofoil, which has a curved front margin without an indentation in the center. The cephalofoil is wide but short. The nostrils are located near the ends of the cephalofoil, with long grooves running towards the center. There are 26 to 32 tooth rows in the upper jaw and 25 to 30 tooth rows in the lower jaw. Each tooth is triangular in shape, with smooth to mildly serrated edges.

The Smooth hammerhead or Sphyrna zygaena body is streamlined, without a dorsal ridge between the two dorsal fins. The first dorsal fin is moderately tall and sickle-like in shape, with a rounded tip. The anal fin is larger than the second dorsal fin, with long free rear tip and a strong notch in the rear margin. The back is dark brownish gray to olive in color becoming lighter on the flanks. The belly is white, and sometimes the pectoral fins have dark edges underneath.

The Smooth hammerhead or Sphyrna zygaena is an active-swimming predator that feeds on bony fishes, rays, sharks (including its own species), cephalopods, crustaceans such as shrimp, crabs, and barnacles. They scavenge from fishing lines. In some areas, stingrays are a favored prey and comprise a majority of its diet.

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