Great hammerheads maintain peak hunting across wide temperature swings, biologging data suggest 31.03.2026

New research published in the _Journal of Experimental Biology_ reveals that great hammerhead sharks exhibit remarkable "thermal hustle," maintaining peak hunting performance across a wide range of ocean temperatures, from winter to summer. While their optimal swimming and hunting temperature is approximately 84.7 degrees Fahrenheit, their performance decline with temperature shifts is significantly lower than most other animals. This flexibility allows them to effectively hunt diverse prey like blacktip sharks, tarpon, and barracuda in varying conditions. Scientists utilized advanced biologging technology to track nine hammerheads off Florida and the Bahamas, constructing the first "thermal performance curve" for the species. Despite their thermal adaptability, great hammerheads are most frequently found in temperatures near their preferred range, and as ocean temperatures change, they may shift their distribution, potentially leading them into areas with increased fishing pressure. This resilience suggests they might tolerate climate change better than other species, though they are critically endangered due to population declines.

















