Bull Shark

Carcharhinus leucas

Phylum

Chordata

 Bull Shark

Class

Chondrichthyes

Order

Carcharhiniformes

Family

Carcharhinidae

 

Common names :

Bull shark, Zambezi shark, Nicaragua shark, Cub shark, River shark, Van Rooyen's shark, Slipway grey shark, Square-nose shark.
Diet : Small to large fish, other sharks including young of it's own, rays, dolphins, turtles, birds.
Reproduction : Viviparous : Females give birth to between 1 and 13 live young per litter after a years gestation.
Size :

Maximum 3.5 metres  Average female 2.4 metres Average male 2.3 metres

 

Distribution of Bull Shark

Distribution : Worldwide in tropical and sub-tropical coastal waters. Usually found in shallow water close to the shore, in bays, estuaries and entering rivers and fresh water lakes.

 

Danger to man :

One of the most dangerous sharks. Many shark attacks in tropical waters, where the shark was unidentified or only identified as a Carcharhinus species was probably the work of the Bull shark. This, combined with it's ability to enter rivers and lakes could make it the most dangerous shark in the world, with many more fatal attacks than the Great White or the Tiger shark.
Economic Importance : Can cause a severe impact on local tourist industries, especially South Africa, where it has probably killed more people than any other shark. The Bull shark is fished commercially for it's fins, liver, skin and flesh. Also fished recreationally as it is an IGFA gamefish. Occasional aquarium species.
Other Comments : The Bull shark is one of the few that can enter fresh water. It has been found 2500 miles up the Amazon in Peru and 1750 miles up the Mississippi river in America as well as the Zambezi, Tigris, Gambia and the Panama canal. It will enter lakes that are connected to the sea, such as Lake Nicaragua, giving the Bull shark it's many regional common names. Has attacked and killed many pilgrims to the Ganges river, leading it to be mistaken for the Ganges shark - Glyphis gangeticus. The Bull shark was almost certainly responsible for the five attacks that occurred at Matawan creek in North America in 1916 (see  Famous Attacks  for more details).