The scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) is one of the most iconic species of the Galápagos Marine Reserve. Around Darwin and Wolf Islands, it can form large aggregations, creating one of the most impressive underwater spectacles in the eastern Pacific.The scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) is one of the most iconic species of the Galápagos Marine Reserve. Around Darwin and Wolf Islands, it can form large aggregations, creating one of the most impressive underwater spectacles in the eastern Pacific.
Its flattened, extended head, known as a cephalofoil, is far more than an unusual shape. It contains numerous sensory organs capable of detecting extremely weak electrical fields produced by other animals. This adaptation, together with its vision and sense of smell, makes it a highly specialized predator that feeds on fish, squid, crustaceans, and other marine organisms.
Its life connects places separated by hundreds of kilometers. Adults undertake long migrations across the Eastern Tropical Pacific, while coastal areas and mangroves serve as nursery grounds for juveniles. In Galápagos, natural nursery areas have been identified where young sharks find shallow, protected waters during the first stages of their lives.
Despite its powerful appearance, Sphyrna lewini is globally classified as Critically Endangered. Its slow growth, long migrations beyond protected areas, and pressure from fisheries make it particularly vulnerable.
Watching a school of hammerheads emerge from the deep blue reveals another dimension of Galápagos: an archipelago connected by currents, migratory routes, and large predators whose presence helps maintain the balance of the ocean.
