Hammerhead Shark Soft Stuffed Plush Toy

THE 360° HUNTER

❃ Hammerhead sharks are among the ocean’s most unmistakable predators, instantly recognized by their wide, flattened heads. Different species can be found in warm coastal waters, coral reefs, and open oceans around the world, with some gathering in spectacular schools numbering in the hundreds. Depending on the species, hammerheads range from relatively small sharks to the great hammerhead, which can grow more than 18 feet (5.5 meters) long.

❃ Their extraordinary head shape, known as a cephalofoil, is much more than an unusual appearance. With eyes positioned at opposite ends of the head, hammerheads have exceptional binocular vision and a remarkably wide field of view. The broad cephalofoil also carries sensory organs called ampullae of Lorenzini, which detect the faint electrical signals produced by other animals—even prey hidden beneath the sand.

❃ Stingrays are a favorite meal of several hammerhead species, and their unusual heads provide the perfect hunting tool. A hammerhead can maneuver around a ray before using its broad cephalofoil to pin the animal against the seafloor. Combined with their extraordinary senses and agile swimming, this specialized adaptation makes hammerheads some of the most distinctive and finely tuned hunters in the sea.