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The hammerheads are of worldwide occurrence, but some species have more restricted ranges than others. The most widely distributed species is probably the smooth, or common, hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena).

They inhabit shallow waters along the coasts, bays and harbors where the water is calm and the bottom sandy. The eyes are located at the ends of two thin protrusions, resembling a hammer. The caudal peduncle lacks keels. In some species the pectoral fins am black tipped. Of the nine species of hammerhead sharks, the largest is the great hammerhead (S. mokarran) which may reach a length of 20 ft (6 m). Its head is T-shaped, being almost straight along the front edge and notched in the center.

Another large species, the smooth hammerhead (S. zygaena), grows to 14 ft (4 m). The front edge of its head is rounded and unnotched in the center. The scalloped hammerhead (S. lewini), grows to 10 ft (3 m). The front edge of its head is rounded and notched.

Though all sharks have ampullae of Lorenzini which also serve to detect chemical, physical and thermal changes in the water, the head of the hammerhead seems ideally shaped to achieve optimum advantage from them. Hooked hammerheads fight hard making long surface and midwater runs and thrashing about causing a great deal of commotion.

Fishing methods include slow trolling, drifting or still fishing with chum and baits that are oily or bloody. Mackerel, squid and other baits, as well as artificial lures, may also work on occasion. They are viviparous and prolific giving birth to as many as 30 or 40 young at a time. Some are known to be man-eaters. In fact, the first fatal shark attack recorded in American waters was by a hammerhead off Long Island, New York in 1815.