Leveled Reading Research Activities Presentation ATI RE VE C K R A A A A L L L L E C C C C C N S C I E Editable Presentation hosted on Google Slides. Click to Download. Description Habitat & Range ● The hammerhead is a cartilaginous fish ● Hammerheads tend to live in the shark family. in more temperate water and are found worldwide ● There are nine different hammerhead in higher latitude waters. species. ● The hammerhead stays ● They tend to be dark brown, gray or closer to the surface and olive in color. They get their name from prefers bays and estuaries. their unusual flat, yet long head. Hammerhead Unique Characteristics Reproduction Diet ● Females can have large litters ● The hammerhead is very of 20 to 50 pups after a ● The hammerhead feeds on dangerous to humans. gestation period of 10-11 different species of fish, small months. sharks and rays. ● In 2008 alone, they were responsible for 54 attacks. ● Birthing occurs in shallow ● They have also been known to 17 of them were coastal nurseries. eat carrion, crawfish and squid. unprovoked and one was considered fatal. ● This shark is known to live up to ● To hunt the stingray, 20 years in the wild. hammerheads will use their head to pin them to the ocean floor to avoid being stung. Hunting Stingray Predators, Threats & Status Conservation Organizations ● The hammerhead is considered ● The International Union for the a vulnerable species. Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is ● Their numbers are dwindling due one of the most important to the sudden increase in shark conservation organizations in hunting. the world. ● There are active conservation ● They research the population efforts to keep their population changes of the hammerhead safe. and thousands of other species to monitor how they are doing. Extended Video Did You Know? ● The great hammerhead shark is the largest of the hammerhead sharks followed by the smooth hammerhead. The bonnethead is the smallest species and is common in zoo and aquariums. ● Scientists believe the hammerhead shark’s head allows 360 degree range of vision rather than using each eye independently like most fish. ● Female hammerheads give birth as opposed to laying eggs like most fish. ● Young hammerhead sharks get tans because they like to stay closer to the water’s surface. Some can even turn completely black. This does not hurt them. “Hammerhead Shark Evolution” (BBC) Smooth hammerhead - Species Profile - Description The smooth hammerhead is a cartilaginous fish in the shark family. It is the second largest of nine different hammerhead species. It is usually around 11 feet long and weighs up to 880 pounds. They tend to be dark brown, gray or olive in color. They get their name from their unusual flat, yet long head. Habitat & Range Smooth hammerheads tend to live in more temperate water and are found worldwide in higher latitude waters. The smooth hammerhead stays closer to the surface and prefers bays and estuaries. Unique Characteristics The hammerhead is very dangerous to humans. In 2008 alone, they were responsible for 54 attacks. 17 of them were unprovoked and one was considered fatal. Reproduction Females can have large litters of 20 to 50 pups after a gestation period of 10-11 months. Birthing occurs in shallow coastal nurseries. This shark is known to live up to 20 years in the wild. Diet The smooth hammerhead feeds on different species of fish, small wild Facts sharks and rays. They have also been known to eat carrion, crawfish Scientific Sphyrna and squid. To hunt the stingray, hammerheads will use their head to Name zygaena pin them to the ocean floor to avoid being stung. Predators, Threats & Conservation Weight Up to 880 lbs The smooth hammerhead is considered a vulnerable species. Their numbers are dwindling due to the sudden increase in shark hunting. Length 8.5 – 11 ft There are active conservation efforts to keep their population safe. Conservation Organizations Lifespan 20 – 30 years The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is one Other of the most important conservation organizations in the world. They Closest Hammerheads, research the population changes of the smooth hammerhead and Relatives Catsharks & thousands of other species to monitor how they are doing. You can Houndsharks learn more at http://support.iucnredlist.org © Clark Creative Education Reflection Questions Answer the following questions in complete sentences. 1. Before you read the article, what did you know about smooth hammerheads? What new information is most interesting to you? 2. Smooth hammerheads are an endangered species. What types of things could be done to help the species survive and thrive? © Clark Creative Education smooth hammerhead - Species Profile - Description The smooth hammerhead is a fish in the shark family. It is the second-largest hammerhead. They can be dark brown, gray or olive in color. They get their name from their flat, long head. Habitat & Range Smooth hammerheads live in water that is not very hot or very cold. The smooth hammerhead swims closer to the surface than some sharks. Unique Characteristics The hammerhead is unsafe to humans. This shark will kill even if the human has not bothered it. Reproduction Females can have large litters of 20 to 50 pups. This shark may live up to 20 years in the wild. Diet wild Facts The smooth hammerhead feeds on small sharks and rays. Scientific Sphyrna They also eat crawfish and squid. To hunt the stingray, they Name zygaena pin them down with their head. Weight Up to 880 lbs Predators, Threats & Conservation The smooth hammerhead is endangered. There are fewer Length 8.5 – 11 ft sharks due to shark hunting. Conservation Organizations Lifespan 20 – 30 years The International Union for the Conservation of Nature Other (IUCN) is and important group. They study the smooth Closest Hammerheads, hammerhead and other species. You can learn more at Relatives Catsharks & http://support.iucnredlist.org Houndsharks © Clark Creative Education Reflection Questions Answer the following questions in complete sentences. 1. What is the most interesting thing about smooth hammerheads? Use information from the text. 2. How can people help smooth hammerheads? © Clark Creative Education .