Hammerheads - Social Behavior

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A Hammerhead Smorgasbord:
Social Behavior

Social behaviors are frequently observed in scalloped hammerhead schools. These behaviors, which are often referred to as modal action patterns, are used to communicate with other members of the school, as well as to members of other species. Modal action patterns are usually released by some simple stimulus. Ethologists (scientists who study animal behavior) describe these behaviors and construct ethograms, which are catalogs of behavior. They also try to determine what stimuli elicit that various action patterns.

In this portion of the Coral Realm Hammerhead Smorgasbord we will examine hammerhead body language and social behavior. This includes a number of threat (agonistic) behaviors. Many of the action patterns described herein are illustrated with line drawings. There are also a number of video clips documenting hammerhead behavior.

So dive in and learn more about this amazing family of sharks!

Hammerhead Introduction


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