A large international team of marine scientists are investigating the phenomenon of a group of female hammerhead sharks gathering in two French Polynesian atolls every summer for the past decade. In their study published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, the team discusses their research on the sharks and presents their theories on the reasons behind this congregation.
Great hammerhead sharks, which can reach lengths of four to six meters and weigh up to 450 kilograms, are the largest among the hammerhead species. While they are known to be voracious hunters, they pose little threat to humans. These sharks typically inhabit tropical or temperate zones along coastlines and migrate seasonally, usually moving towards equatorial waters during winter and in the opposite direction during summer.
Upon learning about the gathering of female great hammerheads in French Polynesia, the scientists initiated a research study to uncover the cause behind this behavior.
Upon examining the circumstances surrounding the sharks’ congregation in French Polynesia, the team discovered that they were initially observed gathering in two atolls during the summers of 2020 and 2021, which correspond to the December to March period, the summer season in the South Pacific.
Over the following years, the research team managed to identify 55 sharks, consisting of 54 females and one of unidentified gender. They note that hammerhead sharks, like most sharks, typically swim alone. Despite congregating, the female sharks did not seem to acknowledge the presence of others around them.
2023-09-05 14:48:03
Original from phys.org rnrn