Sphyrna tiburo, Bonnethead Shark [+]

Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Elasmobranchii Order Carcharhiniformes Family Sphyrnidae Genus Sphyrna species: Sphyrna tiburo [+ITIS +WoRMS]

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Description & Behavior

The bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo (Linnaeus, 1758), aka shovelhead, is well-known for its characteristic semicircular head. The bonnethead shark reaches about 1.50 m in length, and weighs a maximum of 10.8 kg. They are often found in small groups separated by sex.

Hammerhead shark comparison

The hammer-shaped head is thought to have evolved to maximize the area of sensory organs such as the ampullae of Lorenzini (special sensors in sharks' skin used to detect chemical, physical, and thermal changes as well as the electrical fields of prey species that are often buried in the ocean bottom). The hammer shape also allows them to "scan" significantly larger areas of the bottom when hunting than other shark species.

World Range & Habitat

The bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo, is found in subtropical waters 41°N-34°S in the western Atlantic from North Carolina, USA to southern Brazil, in the Caribbean including Cuba and the Bahamas, and in the Gulf of Mexico. It is also found in the eastern Pacific from southern California, USA to Ecuador. The bonnethead prefers continental and insular shelves near inshore and coastal areas around mud and sandy bottoms. They are also associated with coral reefs and shallow water estuaries and bays. The depth range for the bonnethead is between 10-80 m.

» GBIF occurrence data in Google Earth [Tips] | Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) (World Distribution) [about]

Feeding Behavior (Ecology)

This species feeds primarily on crustaceans, bivalves, octopuses, and small fish.

Life History

The bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo, is viviparous, meaning the embryos receives nourishment from the female while developing within her body. Bonnetheads bear 6-9 pups per litter that measure 35-40 cm.