A large female great hammerhead shark was found dead on Carolina Beach, North Carolina. Officials have not determined the cause of death. But, when the shark was found, it had a deep laceration near the base of its tail, along with fresh puncture wounds in its mouth.
CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. – A 14-foot great hammerhead shark washed ashore on the north end of Carolina Beach, North Carolina, on Sunday.
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According to the North Carolina Shark Conservancy, the female shark was first reported through the organization’s hotline around 3 a.m. after locals spotted the animal in the surf multiple times.
The shark later washed ashore just north of the pier at Carolina Beach around 1:20 p.m.
The female shark was found on the north end of Carolina Beach.
( North Carolina Shark Conservancy / FOX Weather)
The agency sent volunteers to the beach to collect measurements, photographs and biological samples for genetic research and educational purposes.
The North Carolina Shark Conservancy said that due to the shark’s size, volunteers worked with multiple agencies, including the Carolina Beach Fire Department and the Carolina Beach Police Department, to safely handle the animal’s removal and disposal.
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Great hammerhead sharks are the largest species of hammerhead sharks.
(El Nuevo Herald / Getty Images)
The cause of death has not been determined. But, when the shark was found, officials saw a deep laceration near the base of its tail that may have affected its ability to swim, along with fresh puncture wounds in its mouth associated with fishing gear.
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Great hammerhead sharks are the largest species of hammerhead sharks and belong to the family Sphyrnidae, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History.
Hammerhead shark swims in the ocean.
(Tahsin Ceylan/Anadolu via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Female great hammerheads can typically grow between 16 and 20 feet long, while males are generally smaller.
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The species is commonly found in warmer waters. In the western Atlantic Ocean, great hammerheads range from North Carolina south to Uruguay, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean regions.
