Scalloped hammerhead shark

Photo: Kris Mikael Krister · CC BY

Hammerheads aggregate around Shark Fin Rock's northern face, drawn by the strong upwelling currents that concentrate prey and the seamount-like topography that serves as a navigational reference point in open water. Their wide-set eyes mounted on the hammer-shaped cephalofoil provide binocular vision in the vertical plane — a significant advantage when hunting fish from below — and the organ density in their ampullae of Lorenzini exceeds that of any other shark family. While they are typically skittish around bubbles, individual animals at Shark Fin Rock have become habituated to dive boats and will circle within 5 to 10 metres of stationary divers clinging to the wall.