Article Summary:

A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology has finally answered the conundrum of why hammerheads have their distinctive heads. The study, the first to test their binocular vision, the area where the fields of two eyes overlap that allows accurate perception of depth and distance, found that the area of binocular vision increases the wider apart the eyes are.

Although the hammer also provides hydrodynamic and hunting benefits, improved binocular vision is an mechanism that could drive its evolution. In addition to binocular vision, hammerhead’s have exellent 360 degree vision, and are even able to see behind them because of their distinctive, waggling swimming action.