Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news Meet ‘Old Hitler’: The Giant Florida Shark with an Unusual Name and Story
  • Local news

Meet ‘Old Hitler’: The Giant Florida Shark with an Unusual Name and Story

    This massive Florida shark was nicknamed ‘Old Hitler.’ Here’s the weird reason why
    Up next
    Video of a man attempting to open an emergency exit door mid-flight from Tokyo to Houston.
    Frightening Incident: Passenger restrained after attempting to open airplane door mid-flight, leading to emergency landing
    Published on 25 May 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • animals,
    • Boca Grande,
    • Florida,
    • Florida Fables,
    • Heres,
    • History,
    • Hitler,
    • massive,
    • nicknamed,
    • old,
    • Reason,
    • Sarasota,
    • shark,
    • sharks,
    • Strange Florida,
    • tampa,
    • The,
    • this,
    • was,
    • weird,
    • why
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    For decades, Florida residents have reported sightings of a legendary hammerhead shark along the state’s southern Gulf coast.

    Although large sharks near Florida’s shores are not uncommon, sightings of this particular hammerhead have estimated it to be over 20 feet in length and weighing more than 2,000 pounds, classifying it as an extraordinary shark.

    This tale has been mostly fueled by fishermen operating along the Gulf coast in areas such as Tampa Bay and Sarasota. However, the shark’s moniker tends to surprise those who are aware of it.

    “Old Hitler.”

    Hammerhead shark on Banner Reef (Florida State Archives (Public Domain))

    Reports from the Naples Daily News indicate that these stories originated during World War II when German U-boats appeared off the eastern coast of the United States. During this period, several American ships were sunk by German submarines near Florida, leading the U.S. military to use dirigible blimps for coastal surveillance.

    However, private ships sailing these waters grew paranoid about being attacked by Germans, and they often reported seeing unidentified watercraft around shipping ports — though many of these sightings were ultimately found to just be large hammerhead sharks swimming near the surface.

    Old photos of caught hammerhead sharks being hung from ropes in Florida (Florida State Archives (Public Domain))

    And with commercial fishing becoming more popular after the war, fishermen began to encounter large hammerheads increasingly often, bringing a rise in fishing tales about the giant hammerheads.

    Many of these stories described a shark “as dark as a shadow and covered in scars,” the Naples Daily News reports. Others said the shark had machete wounds and a knife stuck in its fin — the result of messing with a fisherman’s haul and bumping his boat.

    In some stories, the scar on Old Hitler’s head is shaped like a swastika: a result of his encounter with a boat propeller, a harpoon, or perhaps even a fight with another mean-mannered shark.

    BAHAMAS, CARIBBEAN SEA – DECEMBER 2007: A great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran) swimming on a sandy bottom on December 24, 2007 in Bimini, Bahamas, Caribbean Sea. Sphyrna mokarran is between 3.5 and 6 m long and can weigh up to 500 kg. Great hammerhead shark is in danger of extinction and was placed on the IUCN Red List in June 2004. (Photo by Alexis Rosenfeld/Getty Images) (2007 Alexis Rosenfeld)

    But is there any truth to these old fishing tales?

    Many anglers in the region have their own tales to tell about the creature, though some of these stories could be true.

    The FWC reports that great hammerhead sharks — the largest of their species — are known to frequent inlets and bay mouths along Florida’s Gulf Coast. They’ve been known to reach nearly 20 feet long and can live over 20 years.

    In addition, great hammerheads reportedly rank seventh for unprovoked attacks on people, and they often get inadvertently tangled up in fishing lines by fishing boats along the coast.

    A painted mural of a hammerhead shark on a fishing store in Lakeland that was once the site of the first Red Lobster restaurant (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)

    As such, it could be that the legend evolved from several different great hammerhead sharks who had run-ins with fishermen near the coast.

    “When people see a very large hammerhead shark, they just want to say, ‘That must be Old Hitler,’” Director Bob Hueter of the Center for Shark Research at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota told the Tampa Bay Times in 2007. “I think it’s just a catchy nickname.”

    Regardless of the truth, it makes for an entertaining Florida monster myth.

    For more crazy stories and legends from across Central Florida, be sure to check out News 6’s “Florida Fables” page by clicking here.


    You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below:

    Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like
    Tampa Bay community watching closely as Tropical Storm Melissa gains strength
    • Local news

    Stay Alert: Tropical Storm Melissa Intensifies, Tampa Bay Prepares for Impact

    VALRICO, Fla. (WFLA) — The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane…
    • Internewscast
    • October 24, 2025
    CBP Commander accused of throwing tear gas canisters, violating judge's order
    • Local news

    Top CBP Official Defies Court Order: Accused of Illegally Deploying Tear Gas

    CHICAGO — Gregory Bovino, a Commander with the U.S. Border Patrol, is…
    • Internewscast
    • October 24, 2025
    Trump pauses planned San Francisco federal surge, gives mayor time
    • Local news

    Trump Delays Federal Surge in San Francisco, Grants Additional Time to Mayor

    A planned increase in federal enforcement in San Francisco has been temporarily…
    • Internewscast
    • October 24, 2025
    Japan's new leader vows to further bolster defense buildup and spending as regional tensions rise
    • Local news

    Japan’s Prime Minister Commits to Strengthening Defense Amid Growing Regional Challenges

    In Tokyo, newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivered her inaugural…
    • Internewscast
    • October 24, 2025
    Colleagues remember beloved CSRA radio host
    • Local news

    Colleagues Honor Cherished CSRA Radio Host’s Legacy

    AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Central Savannah River Area is in mourning following…
    • Internewscast
    • October 24, 2025
    Intel posts profit even as it struggles to regain market share
    • Local news

    Intel Reports Profits Despite Challenges in Reclaiming Market Share

    NEW YORK – Intel has reported a profitable quarter as the company,…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025
    Bradenton’s 'Tech Fairy' turns old laptops into new opportunities
    • Local news

    Bradenton’s ‘Tech Fairy’ Transforms Old Laptops into New Opportunities

    BRADENTON, Fla. (SNN) – For almost ten years, a Bradenton resident has…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025
    Remains of Colorado woman who went missing in 2018 identified
    • Local news

    Colorado Cold Case Breakthrough: Missing Woman’s Remains Identified After 5 Years

    DENVER (KDVR) — In a development that’s been awaited for seven long…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025
    Coast Guard patrols Rio Grande as Pentagon sends more resources
    • Local news

    Pentagon Boosts Rio Grande Security with Enhanced Coast Guard Patrols: A Strategic Response

    The U.S. Coast Guard plans to hold a press conference on Thursday…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025
    Ohio chemists warn of rising carfentanil cases as drug mixtures grow more dangerous
    • Local news

    Ohio Chemists Alert Public to Increasing Carfentanil Cases Amid Intensifying Drug Mixtures

    In Columbus, Ohio, a growing alarm is being sounded across the United…
    • Internewscast
    • October 24, 2025
    WATCH LIVE at 10 a.m.: Meet the sweet senior dogs up for adoption in Seminole County
    • Local news

    Live at 10 a.m.: Trooper Steve Discusses School Bus Safety with Osceola Deputy

    OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Today’s coverage takes us back to Osceola County,…
    • Internewscast
    • October 23, 2025
    St. Joseph-Ogden soccer hopes to stay hot after impressive regular season
    • Local news

    St. Joseph-Ogden Soccer Team Aims to Continue Winning Streak After Remarkable Season

    ST. JOSEPH, Ill. (WCIA) – The St. Joseph-Ogden boys’ soccer team showcased…
    • Internewscast
    • October 24, 2025
    Security at California Coast Guard base opens fire on U-Haul truck posing 'direct threat'
    • US

    California Coast Guard Base Incident: Security Neutralizes ‘Direct Threat’ from U-Haul Truck

    On Thursday night, shots were fired at a Coast Guard facility in…
    • Internewscast
    • October 24, 2025
    Chicago CTA riders brace for weekend work halting of trains on elevated Loop tracks on Brown, Green, Orange and Pink lines
    • US

    Chicago Transit Alert: Major Weekend Disruptions on Loop Elevated Tracks for Brown, Green, Orange, and Pink Lines

    CHICAGO (WLS) — This weekend might pose difficulties for CTA riders as…
    • Internewscast
    • October 24, 2025
    Weight loss jabs spike sees soaring number of Brits seek saggy skin treatment
    • Health

    Surge in Weight Loss Injections Leads to Increased Demand for Skin Tightening Treatments Among Britons

    The UK’s non-surgical beauty industry is experiencing a significant surge in…
    • Internewscast
    • October 24, 2025
    King welcomes Volodymyr Zelensky for audience at Windsor Castle 
    • News

    King Charles Hosts Ukrainian President Zelensky at Windsor Castle for Diplomatic Talks

    The King has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Ukraine by welcoming President…
    • Internewscast
    • October 24, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.