The great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran) uses its wide head to trap its favorite food, stingrays, by pinning them to the seafloor. The shark's eye placement, on each end of its very wide head, allows it to scan the area more quickly than other sharks can. 

 

The hammerhead also has special sensors across its head that helps it scan for food in the ocean. Living creatures' bodies give off electrical signals, which are picked up by sensors on the prowling hammerhead. 

 

The apex predator is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and harvest or delayed release is prohibited in Florida state waters. Great hammerheads have a high stress response to being caught, intentionally or otherwise, and mortality rates up to 90% have been observed.  

 

In Tampa Bay, you might see them in deeper channels and nearby shallow habitats, like those near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. This video was recorded while TBAP staff was completing the annual monitoring of hardbottom habitat, using a GoPro camera.