The Evolution of Hammerhead Sharks

Hammerhead Sharks are truly iconic fish, but how did they evolve to look like that? And what are the hammers actually used for?

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[BenGThomas]

Due to complications, today’s video is the Evolution of Hammerhead Sharks! Sorry about this, that means the message at the end is intended for Saturday's video, and we’ll have our pick for the five weirdest sharks out tomorrow! Enjoy!

[parmaxolotl]

Most animals when they want binocular vision: "Alright, ima move these up front."
Sharks when they want binocular vision: "H A M M E R"

[wishbone]

As a little kid I always assumed they used their heads like a hammer to beat their prey to death, lol.

[octopn]

when you create your character with maxed out eye width

[bkjeong]

It should be noted great hammerheads are quite unusual among hammerheads in focusing on large prey like stingrays and other sharks; most hammerheads prefer small fish and squid.

Aside from detecting prey, videos of great hammerheads hunting also show them using their cephalofoils to ram or pin down large prey just prior to biting down on it.

[cake_]

At certain angles, hammerheads look absolutely ridiculous and I love it

[craigstephenson]

Hammerheads are a prime example of gimmicks that work

[beastmaster]

Fun Fact: The Bonnethead is the first ever confirmed omnivorous shark.

[shadowraith]

Fascinating, thanks. It's a shame sharks don't fossilize well. Except for teeth. So many ideas on what ancient sharks looked like but, really for the most part there all guesses.

[Morganational]

Incredible. They're such odd looking animals, I'm so glad they did not go extinct before we had a chance to see them, but I can't even imagine the strange sharks that *DID* go extinct that we'll never get to see. Great work, thank you for all that you do! 👍

[greatgallade]

I just can't get over the way they look. Like God went too crazy on the customize character and put the eyes on max

[firstcynic]

3:15 "Putting electrodes into the eye..."
Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow...

[thedoruk]

Hammerhead Sharks happen when evolution gets ultra *high*

[flightlesslord]

When Thor died after fighting the Midgard Serpent, Mjolnir (his hammer) fell into the sea. One shark was a very selfless and noble shark who also hated giants (or Johtuns which weren't all giant). He was worthy of lifting the hammer, but he didn't have hands, so Odin cast a transfiguration spell onto him and his brethren who were also very worthy, transfuing the hammer and its powers into their heads, and all the descendents of these sharks were also imbued with the POWER OF THOR!!!!

[martakeczek]

I am really grateful for your vids like this;

I adore digging into zoology and evolution of species,
but sadly, I tend to be too tired or lack time because of my job;

having all those research collected in one place with such nice voice
is just wonderful :')

[dumoulin]

YES! My favourite sharks, thank you!!!

[NovaRuner]

So basically they are trying to max out visual depth perception, and stereoscopic smell. That is awesome. Plus it just looks cool.🙂👍 🦈

[crackedemerald]

Odd how the leading edge isn't a straightforward line, but subtly bumpy

[sharksuperiority]

One thing I find really cool about Hammerheads is that they are so clearly still sharks, like, if you were to somehow squish their Cephalofoil back into their face, they would look like normal sharks. Their eyes still line up with where they should be, and their neck(?) and mouth look exactly the same as Their less weird cousins

[therealoorage]

Can you do an episode on the specialised lungs/air sacs present in sauropods and tyrannosaurs