Hammerhead shark washed up on US beach found to be pregnant

A big hammerhead shark washed up on a US seaside was pregnant with dozens of pups, researchers have discovered.

The 4.2 metre shark’s physique was discovered on Orange Beach in Alabama, late final week.

“While it was very sad that it passed, we were excited about the rare opportunity of seeing a Great hammerhead in such good condition,” a put up on the City of Orange Beach Coastal Resources’ Facebook web page mentioned.

A hammerhead shark that washed up on a US seaside was pregnant with 40 pups. (City of Orange Beach Coastal Resources)

The pups present a uncommon analysis alternative. (City of Orange Beach Coastal Resources)

The Coastal Resources workforce contacted a Mississippi State University Marine Fisheries Ecology researcher, who despatched a workforce to carry out a necropsy on the shark.

It was discovered to be pregnant with 40 pups.

“While it is sad, it is very rare to find a large pregnant female, and the data collected will be tremendously helpful in learning about great hammerhead fecundity,” the Coastal Resources put up mentioned.

The shark’s explanation for dying has not been decided.