Sphyrna tiburo, known as the bonnethead shark, is the smallest member of the hammerhead shark family. Inhabiting warm coastal waters, it sports a distinctive shovel-shaped head. Primarily feeding on crustaceans, it plays a crucial role in controlling prey populations, while its social behavior includes forming small groups.

The bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo) is native to the western Atlantic Ocean, ranging from the coastal waters of North Carolina, USA, down through the Caribbean, and into the Gulf of Mexico. It is also found along the eastern coast of Central and South America, from the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico down to southern Brazil. Additionally, it inhabits the eastern Pacific Ocean, from Southern California to Ecuador.

Bonnethead sharks typically inhabit shallow coastal waters, including estuaries, bays, and lagoons. They prefer sandy and muddy bottoms and are often found in seagrass beds. They are adapted to warm waters, usually preferring temperatures between 20°C and 30°C (68°F to 86°F).

Bonnethead sharks are small hammerhead sharks that play a role as both predator and prey within their ecosystem. They feed on a diet consisting primarily of crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish. Their presence contributes to the regulation of prey populations and they are preyed upon by larger sharks, indicating their ecological role within the marine food web.