One of the most distinctive of the shark family because of their odd shaped heads.
Where the sharks eye and nostrils are located giving them an advantage when distinquishing
prey and smell and locating them. The head also is used as a plane for manuevering when
chasing prey at fast speeds. Adults are usually darkish olive color topside that lightens
to a pler shade of the same below. Juvenilles are generally brownish-gray along the back
and also shades to a lighter version along the sides. Great hammerhead can be found both
inshore and offshore and often swims close to the surface with it's dorsal fins showing.
Diet includes fish, shrimp, crabs, stingrays and other small sharks. Great's can grow to
lengths of 15 feet with 3 feet between the eyes and weigh in at hundreds of pounds.
Needless to say if your going to tangle with one of these giants best to come prepared to
stay awhile. The are great fighters and if the tackle matches well with their size can be
a day's worth of work. They are also edible but best to release them to fight another day.
State Records: 871 pounds Galveston
July 4, 1980
Mark Johnson, La Marque
World Record: 991 pounds Sarasota, Florida
May 30, 1982
Allen Ogle