epic tiger shark diving expeditions
  • Home
  • Shark Diving
    • Tiger Beach Bahamas
    • Oceanic Whitetip
    • Great Hammerhead
    • M/V Thresher
  • FAQs
    • FAQs
    • Know Before You Go
  • Blog
    • Bahamas Shark Diving
    • Shark Species
    • Photography
    • Conservation
    • Community
    • Shark Diving Reports
  • About
  • Contact

Bahamas Shark Diving

Hammerhead Shark Evolution

Sep 06 2022
0 Comment
Epic

The early ancestors of sharks first arrived on the scene over 450 million years ago, well before the dinosaurs. Modern day shark species first showed up 370 million years ago. They all had streamlined bodies, between 5 – 7 gill slits, and large dorsal and pectoral fins. They all shared the classic shark appearance that we’re used to seeing today. But, just around 20 million years ago, something unusual happened in shark evolution. Unlike the classic and streamlined super predators, the hammerhead shark arrived with a completely unique shape. This awesome video gives some insight into the evolutionary advantage of the hammerhead sharks unique “cephalofoil”.

I definitely encourage you to watch the video, but here are some of the important points made:

  • The hammerhead’s large head actually provides better depth perception than other sharks have. In fact, of all the species of hammerheads, the winghead shark (which has the largest cephalofoil) has the best binocular depth perception
  • Scientists had assumed that the large head acted like the wing of a plane and provided lift. But research shows this is not the case. It does, however, provide greater maneuverability than most sharks have. This helps them capture their target prey, rays and crabs.
  • The large cephalofoil provides a greater area for the shark’s ampullae of lorenzini, the gel-filled pores on the snout that work like an electrical detector to find the tiny electrical signals made by all living things.
great hammerhead shark

Interested in learning more about shark’s senses? We have a few great articles on our blog worth checking out:

How Big Do Tiger Sharks Get?
Recent Post | Shark Research | Species Profile

How Big Do Tiger Sharks Get?

Having spent countless hours in the water with Tiger Sharks at Tiger Beach over the past decade has been an incredible experience. These sharks are fascinating in so many ways. We have the opportunity to learn […]

Read More How Big Do Tiger Sharks Get?Continue

shark senses vision
Favorites | Species Profile

Shark Vision: Do Sharks have Good Eyesight?

Here’s the next segment on our Shark Senses Series.  If you missed the first article, click here.  Shark vision has always seemed to be a bit of a mystery. We often hear about the mistaken identity […]

Read More Shark Vision: Do Sharks have Good Eyesight?Continue

Looking for some more scientific reading about the hammerhead sharks? Check out A hydrodynamics assessment of the hammerhead shark cephalofoil

Social Share

  • google-share

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

*
*

Popular Posts

bahamas tiger beach shark diving

Day Trips to Tiger Beach Bahamas: Shark Diving Experience

90 Comments
tiger beach day trips

Tiger Beach Day Trips: Shark Diving in the Bahamas

39 Comments
shark senses ampullae of lorenzeni

Shark Senses - How Do Sharks Hunt Their Prey?

23 Comments

Recent Posts

  • Featured Filmmaker: OceanShutter
  • Shark Feeding Controversy
  • International Shark Attack File: 2021 Summary
  • Shark Feeding Ban Proposed for Florida Keys
  • Hammerhead Shark Evolution

Newsletter Sign-up

Slide Get started on your life-changing adventure today. Join Epic Diving for the best Bahamas Shark Diving. Visit the world-famous Tiger Beach Bahamas, dive with Great Hammerhead sharks, or drift in the blue with Oceanic Whitetips! Contact US TIGER BEACH Oceanic Whitetips Great Hammerheads epic tiger shark diving expeditions © EPIC DIVING 2023 Privacy Policy Terms of Use