Popular beach closed on 'red flag alert' after two hammerhead sharks prowl the shore

Two baby sharks circling caused a beach in the Canary Islands to be closed, before a ban was imposed to stop people going beyond the knees. But shark sightings in Spain are more common than you might think

The sinister pair swam together as fearful bathers jumped out of the water – but the sharks left in peace (

Image: THE PERIODICAL)

Hammerhead sharks prowling near the coast have caused the closure of a popular Spanish beach. The scary baby sharks were spotted swimming as a pair on Sunday at Patalavaca beach in Mogan, Gran Canaria - but didn't seem too interested in nearby bathers.

Lifeguards have now banned swimmers from going "beyond knee height" into the sea as a precaution, although the sharks do not harm anyone and swim peacefully.

A red flag alert has been issued by local authorities, who are monitoring the area. Local swimmers say the sharks are still in the area, according to local media. A hammerhead shark had been seen in the days before the couple arrived, suggesting that the sharks are using the bay as a new lair.

The sharks were gliding in pairs in a scary way - even though they weren't bothering anyone. (

Picture:

THE PERIODICAL)

Witness Emily McEwan told The Sun: "It was a bit of a surprise because we've all seen movies like Jaws, but you never really expect to be in the sea when you see that fin."

This happened just weeks after a tourist was mauled by a tiger shark in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt. But there are no recorded human deaths at the hands - or fins - of a hammerhead shark, according to the International Shark Attack File.

It is not uncommon for hammerhead sharks to appear around the Canary Islands - 86 different species of sharks and rays have been spotted in the area.

Hammerhead sharks tend to live to be around 25 to 35 years old and have a 360 degree visual range thanks to the eyes located on either side of their hammerhead head. They can reach a height of 20 feet, but most species do not exceed 13 feet.

They can also weigh up to 600 lbs. Particularly frequent in summer off the coast of the Canary Islands, they take advantage of the tropical waters of the whole world and stay close to the coasts.

Shark sightings are relatively frequent...