Remarkable Binocular Vision in the Hammerhead Shark

With its strange head the hammerhead shark looks like a creature from a science fiction movie. Its eyes are spread apart and, less obviously, the hammerhead shark's electromagnetic sensors are arrayed across its broad snout. So perhaps the monstrosity gives its owner superior binocular vision and electromagnetic tracking of prey. Or perhaps the hammer provides better lift while swimming, better sense of smell, or simply a weapon with which to attack and pin down prey. Now, new research shows that the hammer head does provide enhanced binocular vision. The wider the head, the better the binocular vision.

But the findings are gratuitously cast as signs of evolution. The research investigates the hammerhead shark's vision system--evolution is irrelevant. But nonetheless, and as is often the case, the results are force-fit into evolution. Indeed, beyond hand-waving evolution has no explanation for the hammerhead sharks novelty, vision, electromagnetic sensors and other profound designs.