The bull shark, carcharhinus leucas, is one of the most likely species to attack humans. These large animals measure 7 to 11.5 feet (2.1 to 3.4 meters) long and weigh 200 to 500 pounds (90 to 230 kilograms). Their bodies are grey on top and white underneath, with dark tips on their fins (particularly on young ones). They have thick, stout bodies as well as long pectoral fins. Their eyes are relatively small (leading many to believe that sight is not a very important sense needed a bull shark) and their snouts are blunt and rounded.
The bull shark can be found along the continental coasts of all tropical and subtropical seas. They are famous for their incredible ability to survive in both salt and freshwater. Some will venture inland by way of rivers and tributaries and some will even leap up river rapids (like salmon). Despite this, it is believed that these creatures cannot live their entire lives in freshwater and require access to freshwater through rivers and estuaries. They move slowly and heavily through the water, usually near the bottom, concealing the fact they are very fast and agile swimmers.
The diet of a bull shark consists of bony fish, birds, sea turtles, dolphins, terrestrial (land) mammals and even other sharks (including its own species). Once prey has been found, they will use their impressive speed and agility to catch their victim before it has a chance to escape. These creatures never need to worry about running out of teeth when catching prey as they are replaced continuously throughout their lives. Being the dominant predator within their area (most of the time), they do not have many natural predators to fear with the exceptions of both tiger and great white sharks.
Breeding season for a bull shark takes place from late spring to early summer. This is also the same time females give birth to their litter of 1 to 13 live young that were conceived during the late breeding season (10 to 11 months earlier). The young are born river mouths, estuaries and occasionally in freshwater lakes. Parents do not take care of their young and leave them to fend for themselves. If the little ones can survive long enough, then they can live to be up to 16 years old.
The bull shark is a near threatened species as they face numerous threats. Hunting for their meat, oils, hides and even accidental deaths by entanglement from fishing nets pose great risks to their numbers. The fact that they travel inshore also makes them vulnerable to exploitation by traditional, small-scale fisheries (also called artisanal fisheries). It also doesn’t help that this animal is responsible for many shark-related attacks on humans, giving them a reputation as a man-hunter. More research is required before an accurate population number can be determined, but all signs point to a decrease. Hopefully, such obstacles can be overcome and the bull shark can avoid having to face the possibility of extinction. After all, such a unique fish deserves our respect as well as the right to live and prosper far into the future.
