With abundant wildlife, peacock blue water, white-sand Beaches, arcades, and so much more, Panama City Beach is truly a breathtaking place and a destination for all. Waterfront town in Florida, Oh! Wait a minute; there is one more thing that comes into our minds when we hear the name Florida, the fact that for decades, Florida has surpassed global charts in the number of shark attacks.
Thankfully, things are now under control, and we have seen a rapid decline in shark attacks over the course of the past few years. Now Florida, and particularly Panama City Beach, is known for the presence of the most unique and identifiable species of sharks, the Hammerhead sharks.
Video of hammerhead sharks circling swimmers on Panama City Beach last year spread like wildfire across borders within moments of being uploaded, spawning curiosity about the sharks on the Beach. The sightings did not stop at that time, as many people have reported seeing hammerhead sharks afterward at Panama City Beach.
Take a moment to learn about these amazing sharks prior to going there to see them yourself and have a chance to interact with them safely.
All you need to know about hammerhead sharks
Distinguished by their unusual and distinctive heads, which are flattened and laterally extended into hammers, hammerhead sharks inhabit warm waters around the world. It is due to their unique physiology they are easily recognized by all. During the daytime hammerhead shark usually swims in schools, but at night becomes a solitary hunter.
As for the size of these cartilaginous groups of sharks, the scalloped bonnethead grows to 35 inches in length, whereas the great hammerhead can reach 20 feet in length, which is approximately the size of the great white sharks, the most dangerous species of all.
Panama City Beach Hammerhead Sharks
The hammerhead shark is a type of shark that is part of the family Sphyrnidae, so there are different species with varying sizes and habitats. The different species of hammerhead sharks swimming around Panama city beach include the following.
1: Bonnethead shark
Bonnethead sharks, sometimes known as shovel heads or bonnet sharks, are abundant in the Gulf of Mexico and are the only species of shark that are classified as omnivores. In general, bonnethead sharks are between 2.6 and 3.0 feet long, getting up to 4.9 feet in length at maximum. They feed mostly on mollusks and small fishes.
2: Scalloped bonnethead
This species of the hammerhead shark is a rare and poorly known one in the family Sphyrnidae and is also the smallest with a size of around 35 inches. Its other names are crown shark and mallet head shark.
3: Scalloped Hammerhead
The kinky-headed species is widely distributed along coastal regions and grows to a size of about 10-13 feet. When young, they tend to be found closer to the surface, while adults are found much deeper in the ocean. Usually, they do not attack people and are not considered dangerous.
4: Smooth Hammerhead
These hammerheads prefer temperate waters and are found worldwide at medium latitudes. As a predator, smooth hammers can measure up to 16 feet in length, eating a variety of fish, invertebrates, and large sharks and rays. Although human interactions with this shark are rare, it is potentially dangerous.
5: Great Hammerhead
The largest species in the family of this kind, it measures about 20 feet in length at maximum. Great hammerheads, as apex predators, feed on a variety of prey, such as crustaceans and other shark species. Great hammerhead sharks are frightening, but they rarely attack humans, and they sometimes behave inquisitively towards divers.
Sharks in Panama City Beach
From bonnethead shark to great hammerhead to scalloped hammerhead, Panama City Beach abode different kinds of hammerhead species. Not only this, but it also holds many other shark types that include and are not limited to:
- Blacknose shark
- Blacktip shark
- Bull shark
- Nurse shark
- Shortfin Mako
- Sandbar shark
- Spinner shark
Is Panama City Beach safe to go?
There is no doubt that the existence of hammerhead sharks in Panama City Beach is a source of excitement for many people, but others are concerned about their safety, as swimming alongside sharks isn’t as easy as it seems. Considering the large size of the hammerhead and the presence of other shark species, as listed above, it raises a question about its safety.
Attacks by sharks are extremely rare even though sharks abound in the area. So, if it is the sharks, there is no concern, and Panama City Beach is absolutely safe. A strong current or high surf usually makes it hard to swim in the area; otherwise, it’s fun to be there.
Conclusion
In Panama City Beach, several species of sharks can be seen, including hammerhead sharks. There are very few shark attacks in that area, however, and people visiting there should make sure they are aware of the potential dangers of the sea conditions rather than the possibility of being attacked by a shark.
