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Not to be confused with the Great Hammerhead Shark. |
The Scalloped Hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) is a large cartilaginous fish. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2.
Description[]
The scalloped hammerhead is one of nine species of hammerhead shark, identifiable by their flattened and extended head, known as a cephalofoil, which give the head a hammer-like shape. One of the larger species of hammerhead, the scalloped hammerhead can reach lengths of up to 4.3m (14ft), although females typically average lengths of 2.5m (8.2ft) and are larger than males. It can be distinguished from other hammerheads by the indentations on its cephalofoil. The purpose for a hammerhead's cephalofoil is not entirely understood, but it is believed it gives the shark enhanced vision and also allows it to detect prey. All sharks feature sensory pores on their heads which detect electrical signals given off by prey and being spread across a wide area allows the hammerhead to find food more effectively.
The scalloped hammerhead is a coastal pelagic species, found in tropical and warm temperate waters worldwide. It primarily eats fish, including smaller sharks such as the Blacktip Reef Shark, but may also hunt cephalopods. It often travels of schools of up to 100 sharks and, like all hammerheads, it gives birth to live young. Like many sharks, it is heavily fished for its fins and the species is now considered critically endangered.
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
The scalloped hammerhead is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2 and was added as part of the Marine Mania expansion pack. In Campaign and Challenge mode, it is available for adoption when a zoo reaches a rating of 3.5 stars.
The scalloped hammerhead is a Pelagic animal. As a result, it does not require foliage or rocks in its tank exhibit.
 zootycoon.com Description
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| The scalloped hammerhead shark is among 10 related species of hammerhead sharks found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. The large flattened extensions of its head give this shark a hydroplanelike lift and enable it to make sharper turns than most other sharks. Because its eyes and nostrils are placed at the ends of its head extension, the hammerhead has better ability to track its prey. So keen is its sense of smell that the scalloped hammerhead can detect even a tiny amount (one part per million) of blood in sea water. Though some of the small hammerhead species are not considered dangerous to humans, the scalloped hammerhead most certainly is. |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Scalloped hammerhead sharks are the only animal to be coded to specifically hunt a certain other species outside of standard predator/prey hunting, with the prey animal being the Blacktip Reef Shark in this case. This was likely done to reflect the real-life relationship between the two species.
- The Scalloped Hammerhead is listed as Low Risk in the Zoo Tycoon 2, but the species has since been reclassified as Critically Endangered.