Hawaiian Fishes 



25 



White Tipped Shark 



•10 Triaenodon obesus (Ruppell) 



This shark is a dull colored creature. It may be easily recognized by 

 its obtuse head and by a white tip on the dorsal fins. It has been recorded 

 from the Red Sea to the East Indies, from Tahiti, and from the Leeward 

 Islands of the Hawaiian Archipelago. 



THE HAMMER-HEAD SHARK FAMILY 



6 'Family Sphyrnidae (Centraciontidae) 



This family of sharks is very interesting because its members have a 

 most peculiarly shaped head. The hammer-shaped head of these sharks 

 enables them to be easily and instantly identified. This shark bears two 

 fleshy lobes on its head, one on either side, which extend outward in a 

 lateral direction and which bear the eyes of the shark at their extremities. 

 This modification of the head makes them one of the most unusual groups 

 of fishes known. 



The hammer-heads are fairly large sharks with voracious habits and 

 small sharp teeth. They are widely distributed and probably feed on 

 bottom-living fishes. 



Of more than five species, two are known from the Hawaiian Islands. 



Common Hammer-Head Shark 



Also known as Mano kihikihi, Mano pahaha, or Strizzle-Nose Shark 



6-1 Sphyrna zygaena (Linne) 



The hammer-head shark is grayish in color above and paler below. 



It will reach a length of fifteen feet or more and weighs 1,500 pounds. 



The hammer-head sharks are active and rapid swimmers when they 



feel the urge; at other times they swim slowly at the surface, almost 



