Size: Great hammerhead sharks are one of the largest hammerhead sharks, with some individuals reaching up to 13 feet (4 meters) in length. Their large size makes them capable of causing serious injuries to humans.
Powerful Jaws: Great hammerhead sharks have powerful jaws and teeth adapted for crushing the shells of crabs and mollusks. Their teeth are triangular, serrated, and can inflict significant damage to human flesh.
Aggressive Behavior: While great hammerhead sharks are not typically aggressive towards humans, they can become defensive or aggressive when provoked or startled. They may react defensively if someone enters their territory or invades their personal space.
Curious Nature: Great hammerhead sharks are known to be curious animals that may approach divers or snorkelers to investigate. This behavior can sometimes be misinterpreted as aggression, leading to potential encounters.
Limited Visibility: The hammerhead structure of great hammerhead sharks provides them with a wide range of vision, but it also creates blind spots directly in front of them. This limited visibility might lead to accidental encounters or misinterpretations of human intentions by the shark.
Habitat overlap: Great hammerhead sharks inhabit coastal waters, bays, and estuaries, which are also popular areas for human activities like swimming, fishing, and diving. This overlap increases the likelihood of encounters between sharks and humans.
Predatory Behavior: Great hammerhead sharks are active predators that feed on various marine animals, including bony fish, rays, crustaceans, and other sharks. They may mistake humans for prey, especially in low-visibility conditions or when spearfishing is happening nearby.
Historical Attacks: While great hammerhead shark attacks on humans are relatively rare compared to other shark species, there have been documented cases of attacks that resulted in injuries, some of them fatal.
It's important to remember that shark encounters and attacks are multifaceted and often influenced by various factors such as individual shark behavior, environmental conditions, and human behavior. While great hammerhead sharks can pose a potential threat to humans, taking precautions and being aware of their behavior and habitat can help reduce the risk of encounters and potential conflicts.