Great Hammerhead Shark

Meet Balagbagan (Pangasinan), Krusan (Filipino) or Hammerhead shark! This particular species is the Great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran), one of three species in the genus Sphyrna known in the Philippines (via Fishbase). 

Why are their heads shaped this way? One of the reasons could be an improved, wider field of vision, compared to sharks with smaller or no “hammer heads” (McComb 2009). This helps them catch fish, especially stingrays gliding or hiding along the sandy sea floor. 

Scientists also refer to these “hammer-shaped” heads as cephalofoil, or “head-wing!”

Grab an artprint or tote bag for that hammerhead-lover you know: