13: SPHYRNIDAE (HAMMERHEAD SHARKS)
13.2 Sphyrna mokarran: 187 em immature male (Natal). Ventral view of head; T = teeth.
13.1 Sphyrna lewini
(Griffith & Smith, 1834)
PLATE 2
Scalloped hammerhead
Skulprand-hamerkop
Zygaena lewini Griffith & Smith , 1834: 640, PI. 50 ("New Holland");
Bass et a!. , 1975: 42* .
15-2-15
Teeth 15-1-15; cusps not serrated. Precaudal vertebrae 91-96.
Viviparous; 30 pups per litter, born at 40-50 cm; males
mature at 160 cm; attains 3 m. Feeds on small fish and squid;
rarely dangerous to man. Adults in Mozambique and northwards ; young dropped in Mozambique; juveniles and adult
males in Natal; ranges widely in tropical waters, often found
close inshore . Some specimens are bright gold in colour.
13.2 Sphyrna mokarran
(Ruppell, 1837)
Great hammerhead
Groot hamerkop
Zygaena mokarran Riippell, 1837: 66, PI. 17 (Red Sea); Bass et a!.,
1975: 44* .
Leading edge of hammer straight in adults, curved back in young.
17-2-17
Teeth 17-1-17; clearly serrated. Precaudal vertebrae 94-96.
Viviparous; 20 pups per litter; attains 5 m, possibly more.
Eats fish, crustaceans and small sharks; may be dangerous
to man. In tropical waters on our east coast, extending
south to Natal; ranges widely in tropical seas, both inshore
and over deep water.
13.3 Sphyrna zygaena
(Linnael,ls, 1758)
PLATE 2
Smooth hammerhead
Gladde hamerkop
Squalus zygaena Linnaeus, 1758: 234 ("Europe and America").
Sphyrna zygaena: Smith, SFSA No. 21·; Smith & Smith, 1966: 22*; Bass et
a!., 1975: 45*; van der Elst, 1981: 60* .
14-1-14
Teeth 14-1-14; definitely serrated. Precaudal vertebrae 94-102.
Viviparous; over 30 pups per litter, born at 60 cm; attains
over 3 m, possibly 3.5 m. Eats small fish and squid; possibly
dangerous when attracted by speared fish. Juveniles common in south and southeastern Cape where it sometimes
enters estuaries, ranges to Natal and southern Mozambique, occasionally found on our west coast; occurs in warm
temperate waters in both hemispheres, rarely found in the
tropics.
13.3 Sphyma zygaena: 71 em immature female (Natal). Ventral view of head; T = teeth.
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13.2 Sphyrna mokarran: 187 em immature male (Natal). Ventral view of head; T = teeth.
13.1 Sphyrna lewini
(Griffith & Smith, 1834)
PLATE 2
Scalloped hammerhead
Skulprand-hamerkop
Zygaena lewini Griffith & Smith , 1834: 640, PI. 50 ("New Holland");
Bass et a!. , 1975: 42* .
15-2-15
Teeth 15-1-15; cusps not serrated. Precaudal vertebrae 91-96.
Viviparous; 30 pups per litter, born at 40-50 cm; males
mature at 160 cm; attains 3 m. Feeds on small fish and squid;
rarely dangerous to man. Adults in Mozambique and northwards ; young dropped in Mozambique; juveniles and adult
males in Natal; ranges widely in tropical waters, often found
close inshore . Some specimens are bright gold in colour.
13.2 Sphyrna mokarran
(Ruppell, 1837)
Great hammerhead
Groot hamerkop
Zygaena mokarran Riippell, 1837: 66, PI. 17 (Red Sea); Bass et a!.,
1975: 44* .
Leading edge of hammer straight in adults, curved back in young.
17-2-17
Teeth 17-1-17; clearly serrated. Precaudal vertebrae 94-96.
Viviparous; 20 pups per litter; attains 5 m, possibly more.
Eats fish, crustaceans and small sharks; may be dangerous
to man. In tropical waters on our east coast, extending
south to Natal; ranges widely in tropical seas, both inshore
and over deep water.
13.3 Sphyrna zygaena
(Linnael,ls, 1758)
PLATE 2
Smooth hammerhead
Gladde hamerkop
Squalus zygaena Linnaeus, 1758: 234 ("Europe and America").
Sphyrna zygaena: Smith, SFSA No. 21·; Smith & Smith, 1966: 22*; Bass et
a!., 1975: 45*; van der Elst, 1981: 60* .
14-1-14
Teeth 14-1-14; definitely serrated. Precaudal vertebrae 94-102.
Viviparous; over 30 pups per litter, born at 60 cm; attains
over 3 m, possibly 3.5 m. Eats small fish and squid; possibly
dangerous when attracted by speared fish. Juveniles common in south and southeastern Cape where it sometimes
enters estuaries, ranges to Natal and southern Mozambique, occasionally found on our west coast; occurs in warm
temperate waters in both hemispheres, rarely found in the
tropics.
13.3 Sphyma zygaena: 71 em immature female (Natal). Ventral view of head; T = teeth.
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