Distribution:

Circumglobal in coastal warm temperate and tropical seas. Western Atlantic: New Jersey, USA to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Eastern Atlantic: Mediterranean to Namibia. Indo-Pacific: Red Sea, East Africa and throughout the Indian Ocean; Japan to New Caledonia, Hawaii and Tahiti. Eastern Pacific: southern California, USA to Ecuador, probably Peru.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. A large hammerhead with a notch at the center of head; 1st dorsal fin moderately high, 2nd dorsal and pelvic fins low. Front margin of head broadly arched with prominent median notch. Side wings of head narrow, rear margins swept backward. Uniform grey, greyish brown, or olivaceous above, shading to white below; pectoral fins tipped with grey or black ventrally.

Biology:

A coastal-pelagic, semi-oceanic shark occurring over continental and insular shelves and adjacent deep water, often approaching close inshore and entering enclosed bays and estuaries. Found in inshore and offshore waters to about 275 m depth. Huge schools of small migrating individuals move poleward in the summer in certain area. Permanent resident populations also exist. Adults solitary, in pairs, or schools; young in large schools. Produces 15-31, of 43-55 cm young in a litter. Feeds mainly on teleost fishes and cephalopods, also lobsters, shrimps, crabs, including other sharks and rays. Considered potentially dangerous to people but often unaggressive when approached by divers. Readily available to inshore artisanal and small commercial fisheries as well as to offshore operations. Sold fresh, dried-salted, smoked and frozen; also sought for its fins and hides. Oil used for vitamins and carcasses for fishmeal.

Max. size: 430.0 cm

Max.weight: 107 Kg

Environment: pelagic; depth range 0 - 275 m

Climate: subtropical; 46°N - 36°S

Canary Islands country information: Name: Tiburon Martillo