precaudul tail much shorter than trunk

pelvic fin resembles half of a rectangle, while the dorsal fin resembles an obtuse triangle.

unusual and distinctive structure of their heads, which are flattened and laterally extended into a "hammer" shape called a cephalofoil

tend to have slender bodies with a potential snout

caudal fins with the upper lobe being quite larger than the lower but not very long

five exceptionally large gill openings, the fifth behind origin of pectoral fin, over fin base

long, trowel-shaped, beak-like snout, much longer than those of other shark

very firm half-moon-shaped (technically lunate) caudal fin

bearing a unique long, saw-like rostrum edged with sharp teeth

no precaudal pits

characterized by an additional pair or pairs of gill slits

has a kite-like shape body

have flattened pectoral fin discs that range from oval to diamond-like in shape

the pectoral fins extend forward forming' horns' in front of the head