Did You Know?

Bull Shark Facts

Kingdom:    Animalia

Phylum:    Chordata

Class:    Chondrichthyes

Order:    Carcharhiniformes

Family:    Carcharhinidae

Genus:    Carcharhinus

Scientific Name:    Carcharhinus Leucas

Type:    Fish

Diet:    Carnivore

Size (L):    2.1m - 3.5m (7ft - 11.5ft)

Weight:    90kg - 230kg (200lbs - 500lbs)

Top Speed:    40km/h (25mph)

Life Span:    16 - 25 years

Lifestyle:    Solitary

Conservation Status:    Least Concern

Colour:    Blue, Grey

Skin Type:    Scales

Favourite Food:    Fish

Habitat:    Shallow and tropical waters

Average Litter Size:    10

Main Prey:    Fish, Sharks, Stingray

Predators:    Human, Tiger sharks

Distinctive Features:    Flat, rounded snout and two dorsal fins

Bull sharks are mainly found in the warmer and shallower coastal waters of the southern hemisphere. The bull shark is one of the most common species of shark found worldwide.

The bull shark is able to inhabit both salt and freshwater sources just as happily, with one bull shark known to have swum 4,000 km up the Amazon River in South America, finally ending up in the mountainous Peru.

The bull shark is well known for its unpredictable and aggressive temperament and is thought to be one of the most dangerous sharks towards humans. This is probably because the bull inhabits coastal waters and rivers and is therefore more likely to come into contact with swimmers and water sports enthusiasts.

The bull shark is an effective and dominant predator in its environment and so has no real natural predator itself. Bull sharks are occasionally hunted by the bigger shark species such as the tiger shark and the infamous great white shark.