smooth smooth species shark family species named smooth distinctive shape head flattened extended hammer shape called middle margin smooth unlike species prefers temperate waters occurs worldwide medium latitudes summer sharks migrate poles following cool water masses forming schools numbering hundreds thousands second largest shark great shark smooth measure long active predator takes wide variety bony fishes invertebrates larger individuals feeding sharks rays rest family shark viviparous gives birth litters pups relatively common shark captured intentionally commercial fisheries range fins extremely valuable use shark fin soup shark potentially dangerous likely responsible attacks humans likely encounter swimmers large species temperate habitat taxonomy phylogeny swedish natural historian known father taxonomy originally described smooth tenth edition designating type specimen later changed specific epithet originates greek word meaning referring shape head greek shark aristotle second book history animals common names species include common common smooth round headed simply studies based morphology generally regarded smooth derived members family grouped great phylogenetic analyses based nuclear mitochondrial dna concluded differently smooth great closely related closely related species furthermore smooth basal species indicating evolve large description second largest great smooth typically measures long maximum recorded length weight respectively smooth differs large shape curved margin center wide short measuring body length nostrils located near ends long grooves running center tooth rows upper jaw tooth rows lower jaw tooth triangular shape smooth weakly edges body streamlined dorsal ridge dorsal fins dorsal fin moderately tall like shape rounded tip pectoral pelvic fins having nearly straight rear margins anal fin larger second dorsal fin long free rear tip strong notch rear margin dermal denticles densely packed horizontal ridges juveniles leading shaped rear margin dark brownish gray olive color contrast simple brown lighter flanks belly white pectoral fins dark edges underneath distribution habitat sharks smooth species tolerant temperate water occurs worldwide higher latitudes species atlantic occurs nova scotia brazil southern argentina west british isles including mediterranean_sea east indian_ocean found south_africa india sri_lanka western pacific occurs southern japan siberia australia new_zealand central eastern pacific occurs california panama ecuador chile species usually considered absent tropics distribution rare reports tropical waters india southern presence tropics difficult determine confusion species compared great smooth stays closer surface water deep recorded diving depth prefers waters bays found open ocean continental shelf oceanic islands shark reported entering freshwater habitats florida summer smooth migrate stay cooler water heading equator winter biology ecology adult smooth solitary form small groups come great numbers annual schools juveniles long observed eastern cape south_africa schools thousands strong reported california hot summer weather seen swimming surface dorsal fins exposed young smooth preyed larger sharks shark adults observed consumed killer new_zealand known parasites smooth include smooth active swimming predator feeds bony fishes rays sharks including species cephalopods lesser extent crustaceans shrimp crabs readily fishing lines areas favored prey comprise majority diet found lodged mouths sharks specimen examined contained spines northern europe smooth feeds herring north_america takes spanish south_africa smooth feed squid small schooling fish deep coral reefs edge continental shelf individuals long taking increasing numbers smaller sharks rays australia squid important prey followed bony fish like smooth viviparous young exhaust supply yolk yolk sac converted connection mother delivers females bear relatively large litters pups gestation period months occurs shallow coastal bay north_carolina pups measure long birth females reach maturity long males long depending locality south_africa newly females caught february females term embryos november east coast australia takes place january march taking place time shark thought live years human interactions smooth potentially dangerous humans lists attacks large sharks fatal smooth occurrence temperate regions people likely enter water likely responsible minority attacks southern california species reported steal catches sport divers smooth caught commercial fisheries world including united_states east west coasts brazil spain taiwan philippines southwestern australia western africa primarily fishery catches smooth difficult frequent lack distinction large meat sold fresh dried smoked markets considered undesirable reports poisoning valuable fins highest rating use shark fin soup leads captured sharks sea additionally liver oil skin leather shark chinese medicine fisheries ocean smooth caught numbers recreational smooth killed shark nets protect beaches fewer smooth caught annually nets south_africa contrast nets new_south_wales australia smooth comprised sharks captured present species remains relatively common assessed vulnerable new_zealand prohibited target species abundant shark northwest coast appear negatively impacted fishing southern australia eastern united_states catches species regulated atlantic shark fishery management plan classified smooth great added appendix cites bringing shark fishing commerce species licensing regulation
Smooth hammerhead