bonnethead

[ bon-it-hed ]

noun

1. a hammerhead shark, Sphyrna tiburo, found in shallow waters from Brazil to Massachusetts, having a spade-shaped head. heads.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bonnethead¹

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80; bonnet + head

Example Sentences

Researchers at the University of Florida collected, imaged, and stained embryos of various stages from a small hammerhead species, the bonnethead shark, which were being studied for other reasons.

From Science Magazine

In a series of striking pictures, the study reveals how, roughly halfway through gestation, two-inch-long bonnethead shark embryos suddenly widen their heads.

From Science Daily

This is often reported in captive animals, including the bonnethead shark, where animals are kept in single-sex enclosures.

From Scientific American

The menus lean toward seafood, which is no surprise, given the proximity of the Gulf; a specialty in Campeche is pan de cazon, a combination of corn tortillas, habanero sauce and bonnethead shark.

From Washington Post

Looking for answers, scientists based at Florida State University decided to study bonnethead sharks — a kind of hammerhead that lives on both American coasts and returns to the same estuaries every year.

From Seattle Times