also: あかしゅもくざめ
noun
scalloped hammerhead; bronze hammerhead shark
Refers specifically to the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini). The name アカシュモクザメ literally means 'red hammerhead shark'.
アカシュモクザメは頭の形が独特で、ハンマーのように見える。
The scalloped hammerhead has a distinctive head shape that looks like a hammer.
沖縄の海でアカシュモクザメの群れを見た。
I saw a school of scalloped hammerheads in the sea off Okinawa.
シュモクザメ is the general term for hammerhead sharks (family Sphyrnidae), while アカシュモクザメ specifies the scalloped hammerhead species.
Compound of 赤 (aka, 'red') + 撞木鮫 (shumokuzame, 'hammerhead shark'). The 'red' likely refers to a reddish tint sometimes seen on the body. The exact origin of the name is uncertain.