Fish · La Saladita, Guerrero

Scalloped Hammerhead

Sphyrna lewini

Spanish: Tiburón Martillo Común

Scalloped Hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini)
Photographed by vctrndr on iNaturalist

The scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) is a species of hammerhead shark, and part of the family Sphyrnidae. Originally known as Zygaena lewini, its genus name was later changed to its current name. The Greek word sphyrna translates into "hammer" in English, referring to the shape of this shark's head. The most distinguishing characteristic of this shark, as in all hammerheads, is the 'hammer' on its head. The shark's eyes and nostrils are at the tips of... Most often recorded in Jun.

TaxonomyChondrichthyes › Carcharhiniformes › Sphyrnidae
IUCN statusCritically Endangered (CR)
Local records1 research-grade observation within about 50 km of La Saladita (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones)
Global records2,017 on iNaturalist
Recorded here2024 – 2024
Months recorded near La Saladita
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Recent local sightings

Interactive card with more photos, sounds and similar species Fish guide iNaturalist Wikipedia

Cite as: “Scalloped Hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) at La Saladita”, La Saladita Field Guide, lasaladita.com/species/sphyrna-lewini/, updated 2026-09-26. Observation counts and months come from iNaturalist research-grade records within about 50 km of 17.8375°N, 101.7606°W (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones); summary text from Wikipedia where present.