Natural Florida
Bull sharks are aggressive, common, and usually live near
high-population areas like tropical shorelines. They are not bothered by
brackish and freshwater, and even venture far inland via rivers and
tributaries.
Because of these characteristics, many experts
consider bull sharks to be the most dangerous sharks in the world.
Historically, they are joined by their more famous cousins, great whites
and tiger sharks, as the three species most likely to attack humans.
Bull
sharks get their name from their short, blunt snout, as well as their
pugnacious disposition and a tendency to head-butt their prey before
attacking. They are medium-size sharks, with thick, stout bodies and
long pectoral fins. They are gray on top and white below, and the fins
have dark tips, particularly on young bull sharks.
They are found
cruising the shallow, warm waters of all the world’s oceans. Fast, agile
predators, they will eat almost anything they see, including fish,
dolphins, and even other sharks. Humans are not, per se, on their menus.
However, they frequent the turbid waters of estuaries and bays, and
often attack people inadvertently or out of curiosity.
Bull sharks
currently are not threatened or endangered. However, they are fished
widely for their meat, hides, and oils, and their numbers are likely
shrinking. One study has found that their average lengths have declined
significantly over the past few decades.
- Did you know?
- Bull sharks have been found thousands of miles up the Amazon
River, and in Nicaragua have been seen leaping up river rapids,
salmon-like, to reach inland Lake Nicaragua.
- Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:
-
- Size:
- 7 to 11.5 ft (2.1 to 3.4 m)
- Weight:
- 200 to 500 lbs (90 to 230 kg)
-
- Information from Nat Geo.
