9781422276761

SHARK WASH Hammerhead sharks and king angelfish have a symbiotic relationship. Hammerheads visit “cleaning stations” manned by king angelfish. At these locations, the angelfish eat any parasites and clean the shark. In return for their services, hammerheads won’t eat king angelfish. HAMMERHEAD MYTHS Native Hawaiians call the hammerhead mano kihikihi . They respect all sharks and believe they are the returned spirits of dead loved ones. The hammerhead isn’t seen often in this area, but when it is, the Hawaiians believe it is a special protector ( aumakua ). When a child is born with the hammerhead as its spirit animal, these natives believe that the child is to become a great sea warrior. Hammerhead sharks are some of the most recognizable members of the shark family because of the unusual shape of their heads. Their heads are distinguished by a large horizontal extension with an eye located at each end. The nostrils rest across the front of this hammer-like structure, and a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth sits beneath. The hammerhead’s mouth is smaller than that

Watch hammerheads in action as they hunt!

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