Why do hammerhead sharks have flattened heads?
No one is sure why hammerheads have such a strange, flattened head. The hammer itself is a complex structure that probably serves more than one function. The hammer spreads out sensory organs of the head and has many wing-like properties. It is therefore believed that the hammer enhances the shark’s senses of smell and electroreception as well as its lift and maneuverability. But the hammer also prevents three-dimensional vision and jaw protrusion. The advantages of the hammer must outweigh the drawbacks, as hammerheads are widespread and abundant – proof that they are evolutionarily successful.
