Carolina hammerhead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carolina hammerhead |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sphyrna
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| Species: |
gilberti
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The Carolina hammerhead (Sphyrna gilberti) is a special type of shark. It is part of the family of hammerhead sharks, called Sphyrnidae. You can find this shark in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean.
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About the Carolina Hammerhead
The Carolina hammerhead is a unique shark. It was officially described and named by scientists in 2013.
Where Do They Live?
These sharks live in the western Atlantic Ocean. They are often found in shallow waters near the coast. This includes areas off the southeastern United States. A place called Bulls Bay in South Carolina is known for having many of them. Carolina hammerheads have also been seen in coastal waters near Brazil.
Why Are They Special?
The Carolina hammerhead is very closely related to the scalloped hammerhead shark. For a long time, scientists thought they were the same. However, in 2013, scientists discovered they were a different species.
Who Discovered Them?
This shark is named after Carter Gilbert. He was a scientist who worked at the Florida Museum of Natural History. In 1967, he found a shark off Charleston, South Carolina. He thought it was a scalloped hammerhead that looked a bit different. It had fewer bones in its spine than a typical scalloped hammerhead. It wasn't until 2013 that scientists confirmed it was a completely new species.
What Do They Eat?
Carolina hammerheads are predators. Their main diet includes different types of bony fish. They also enjoy eating cephalopods. These are sea creatures like squids, octopuses, and cuttlefishes. Sometimes, they also eat shrimps, lobsters, crabs, and even smaller sharks and rays.
Are They in Danger?
The Carolina hammerhead is currently listed as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List. This means they are at risk of disappearing. The main reasons for this are too much fishing and damage to their natural homes.
