Hammerhead

Hammer-head, any shark of the genus Zygtena with five species widely distributed, but most abundant in tropical and sub-tropical seas. The popular name is due to the fact that the front part of the head is produced so as to form a lobe on each side projecting far beyond the width of the body, and at the extremities of these lobes are the eyes. Z. malleus, sometimes called the Balancafish, the best-known species, is bluish-grey above, lighter beneath. Specimens of over 13 feet long have been taken off our coast.