248 Southern Hammerhead Shark 



Distribution: Reported from both sides of the Atlantic 

 and on the American Pacific coast. In the western Atlantic 

 found from Massachusetts Bay to southern Brazil. Un- 

 common north of North Carolina. 

 Size: Reported to reach a length of 6 feet. 

 General Information: Frequents shallow waters along the 

 coast. A sluggish species feeding largely on crabs and 

 other crustaceans. Also eats shellfish and small fish. Ma- 

 tures when 3Vi-4 feet long. From 6 to 9 young are born 

 at a time. 

 Economic Importance: None. 



Southern Hammerhead Shark 

 Sphyrna diplana Springer 



Color: Upper surface of body light gray, shading to white 



below. 



Distribution: Tropical and warm temperate waters of the 



Atlantic Ocean. In the western Atlantic, recorded from 



southern New Jersey to Brazil. 



Size: Grows to at least 10 feet. 



General Information: First described in 1941, it has been 



confused in the past with the Common Hammerhead. 



Little is known about this shark. 



Economic Importance: None. 



