Marine Life

Scalloped hammerhead

Kaaligandu miyaru

Sphyrna lewini

There are possibly three species of hammerhead sharks that occur in the Maldives, with Sphyrna lewini being the only one that has been definitely recorded and confirmed from there to date. Large schools of this species have been observed by divers near A. Rasdhoo and a few other sites, and it is classified under the family Sphymidae. It should be noted that this species can potentially be dangerous to people.

Details

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size: Max. 4.2 m
color: Grey brown above, white below.
order: Carcharhiniformes
family: Carcharhinidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/sphyrna-lewini.png
habitat and biology: This species is found offshore in the open ocean but can occasionally come closer to the continental edge and enter enclosed bays. Young individuals form large true schools, but adults are mostly solitary or found in pairs. It feeds on pelagic fish, which are fish that live in the open water column, as well as crustaceans and cephalopods. It is viviparous, meaning that it gives birth to live young, and produces litters of 15 to 31 young per litter.
distinctive characters: The head is hammer-shaped with broad "hammer" head, median and lateral indentations. The first dorsal fin origin is slightly behind the pectoral fin insertion, and the posterior margin of the eye is roughly level with the front of the mouth. The margin of the pelvic fins is nearly straight.