Hammerhead Sharks

Hammerhead Sharks

Hammerhead Sharks
Reading Level

	edHelper's suggested reading level:	grades 6 to 8
	Flesch-Kincaid grade level:	8.33

Vocabulary

challenging words:

hammerhead, winged-shaped, trademark, oceanic, reminiscent, notorious, speculation, hence, particularly, man-eaters, better, temperate, confusion, explanation, scalloped, theory

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Hammerhead Sharks

¹     When it comes to identifying sharks, there is no confusion over which ones are hammerhead sharks. The reason for that is obvious. As their name suggests, hammerhead sharks have wide, flattened heads that are reminiscent of hammers. The odd form of their heads is so unique that it becomes their trademark physical feature. Hence, mistaking them for other shark species is impossible!

²     Though scientists cannot be certain why hammerhead sharks possess such strange-looking heads, they are not afraid to make guesses. One theory is that hammerhead sharks use their heads as rudders. Their ability to make exceptionally fast, sharp turns seems to support the hypothesis. Another speculation is that their peculiarly shaped heads help make them better hunters. Because hammerhead sharks have one eye and one nostril at each end of their heads, they have a broader range of vision and sense of smell than most (if not all) oceanic predators. As a result, they have a better chance tracking down prey such as rays and other sharks. The third possible explanation for hammerhead sharks' unique anatomy concerns their favorite food -- rays. Some scientists believe that hammerhead sharks use their "hammers" to pin down rays so they can take bites from their victims' winged-shaped fins.

³     Hammerhead sharks like to live in warm or temperate waters along coastal areas. They can be found worldwide. Of the eight different species, three are considered particularly dangerous, potential man-eaters. The notorious trio includes the great hammerhead shark, the scalloped hammerhead shark, and the smooth hammerhead shark. The great hammerhead shark also happens to be the largest of all hammerhead sharks. It can grow up to 20 feet long and weigh more than 1,000 pounds!

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