The hammerhead ancestor probably lived in the Miocene epoch about 20 million years ago. The team found that two divergent lineages of small sharks about 3 to 4 feet long originated independently at separate times in the past.

Why did hammerheads evolve like that?

Now, a study suggests that the hammerhead shark may have evolved its oddly shaped snout to boost the animal's vision and hunting prowess. ... Sharks with wider heads have better binocular vision – all the better to track fast-moving prey like squid with far more accuracy than sharks with close-set eyes.

How old are hammerhead sharks?

Their average lifespan is around 20 to 30 years. The oldest hammerhead recorded was thought to be around 40 years old! According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, great hammerheads are globally endangered. The main reason is the quality and size of their fins which is the key ingredient in shark fin soup.