Species profile
Bonnethead
Sphyrna tiburo
At a glance
Bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo) is an IUCN Endangered shark or ray regulated in 3 of 65 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Bag limits are uniform at 1 per angler across the 3 regulating jurisdictions.
Confirmed by 1,145 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, Texas, and South Carolina the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Listed under CITES — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Notable details
- The Bonnethead is the smallest hammerhead shark, typically reaching just 3–4 feet in length.
- It is the only shark species confirmed to be omnivorous, routinely digesting seagrass as part of its diet.
- Its rounded, shovel-shaped head distinguishes it immediately from all other hammerhead species.
- Bonnetheads give birth to live young, with litters typically ranging from 4 to 12 pups.
- They favor shallow bays, estuaries, and coastal flats, often in water less than 10 feet deep.
Where Bonnethead are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Bonnethead
Protected status
- CITES Appendix II (Sphyrnidae — all hammerheads, CoP17+CoP19).
Always verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Background
The bonnethead shark or shovelhead (Sphyrna tiburo) is a small member of the hammerhead shark genus Sphyrna, and part of the family Sphyrnidae. It is an abundant species on the American littoral, and the only shark species known to display sexual dimorphism in the morphology of the head.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Bonnethead article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other sharks & rays on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.