Scoophead shark
A small member of the hammerheads
The Scoophead shark (Sphyrna media) is a species of hammerhead shark, part of the family Sphyrnidae. It inhabits the tropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, from Panama to southern Brazil, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California to Ecuador, and probably northern Peru. It is found in shallow, inshore habitats. Its cephalophoil is broad and mallet-shaped.
Family: Sphyrnidae
Genus: Sphyrna
Species: media
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Subclass- Elasmobranchii
Common Name– Ground Sharks
Family– Sphyrnidae
Common Name– Hammerhead Sharks
Genus– Sphyrna
Species– media
Status: IUCN Red List UNKNOWN/NOT EVALUATED
Average Size and Length: These sharks are smaller in size in comparison to other Hammerhead sharks. Scoophead sharks at maturity range from 2.11 feet to 4.9 feet.
Average Weight: Unknown
Teeth and Jaw: Scoophead shark teeth are small and smooth-edged, with angled triangular cusps on top, and pointy straight on the bottom. They have a large, broadly arched mouth.
Head: Broad, arched, mallet-shaped head. Scoophead sharks have a short snout that is about one-third of its entire head width.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: Scoophead sharks are found in tropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, from Panama to southern Brazil, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California to Ecuador, and probably northern Peru. The Scoophead sharks are found over continental shelves.
Diet: Most likely, the Scoophead shark feeds on small elasmobranchs, octopus, squid, and flounders.
Ram-Suction Index: combination
Aesthetic Identification: Scoophead sharks are grey-brown on the top, and white counter shading on the bottom. Scoophead sharks are small. They have a free rear trip of the first dorsal fin over the pelvic insertions. These sharks have a transverse, crescentric upper pre-caudal pit. There are no fin markings.
Biology and Reproduction: Not much is known about the biology of Scoophead sharks. Scoophead sharks are viviparous and are born just over 1 foot long.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: The behavioral traits of Scoophead sharks is virtually unknown.
Speed: unknown
Scoophead Shark Future and Conservation: The Scoophead shark is caught commercially and sold as fresh fish or turned into fishmeal. The Scoophead shark is also a common bycatch of the gillnet mackerel fishery off Trinidad.
Scoophead Shark Recorded Attacks on Humans: unknown