The smalleye hammerhead (Sphyrna tudes), also known as the golden hammerhead, is a small species of hammerhead shark found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from Venezuela to Uruguay. It prefers muddy habitats and typically reaches lengths of 1.2–1.3 m. Characterized by its bright golden color, the species was scientifically documented in the 1980s. Juveniles and adult males tend to school, while adult females are solitary. The shark’s coloration is believed to help conceal it from predators like larger sharks.
Smalleye hammerheads are viviparous, with females giving birth to five to 19 pups after a 10-month gestation period. In 2020, the International Union for Conservation of Nature listed the species as critically endangered.
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