<P> The hammerhead sharks are a group of sharks in the family Sphyrnidae , so named for the unusual and distinctive structure of their heads , which are flattened and laterally extended into a `` hammer '' shape called a cephalofoil . Most hammerhead species are placed in the genus Sphyrna , while the winghead shark is placed in its own genus , Eusphyra . Many , but not necessarily mutually exclusive functions have been proposed for the cephalofoil , including sensory reception , manoeuvering , and prey manipulation . Hammerheads are found worldwide in warmer waters along coastlines and continental shelves . Unlike most sharks , hammerheads usually swim in schools during the day , becoming solitary hunters at night . Some of these schools can be found near Malpelo Island in Colombia , Cocos Island off Costa Rica , and near Molokai in Hawaii . Large schools are also seen in the waters off southern and eastern Africa . </P>
<P> The hammerhead sharks are a group of sharks in the family Sphyrnidae , so named for the unusual and distinctive structure of their heads , which are flattened and laterally extended into a `` hammer '' shape called a cephalofoil . Most hammerhead species are placed in the genus Sphyrna , while the winghead shark is placed in its own genus , Eusphyra . Many , but not necessarily mutually exclusive functions have been proposed for the cephalofoil , including sensory reception , manoeuvering , and prey manipulation . Hammerheads are found worldwide in warmer waters along coastlines and continental shelves . Unlike most sharks , hammerheads usually swim in schools during the day , becoming solitary hunters at night . Some of these schools can be found near Malpelo Island in Colombia , Cocos Island off Costa Rica , and near Molokai in Hawaii . Large schools are also seen in the waters off southern and eastern Africa . </P>
where did the hammerhead shark get its name
where did the hammerhead shark get its name
the unusual and distinctive structure of their heads , which are flattened and laterally extended into a `` hammer '' shape called a cephalofoil
the unusual and distinctive structure of their heads , which are flattened and laterally extended into a `` hammer '' shape called a cephalofoil