Smooth Hammerhead in Virginia Waters
Sphyrna zygaena
Use these resources to learn how to identify a smooth hammerhead shark, find out what other shark species live in Virginia waters, explore our shark longline data over the years, and find answers to frequently asked questions.
smooth hammerhead ID GUIDEOTHER VA SHARKSSHARK DATA APP
Smooth hammerheads are uncommon visitors to lower Chesapeake Bay and adjacent coastal waters in summer and fall, less common than scalloped hammerhead sharks. They are differentiated by a lack of scalloped edge on their snout.
Maximum size
Approximately 13 feet total length (4 meters)
Range
Inhabits warm-temperate coastal waters in the western Atlantic from Nova Scotia to Florida and Brazil to Argentina.
Diet
Bony fishes, stingrays, and small sharks
Depth range
Coastal zone to 600 feet (200 meters)