One or several bull sharks may have been responsible for the Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916, which were the inspiration for Peter Benchley's novel Jaws. [citation needed] It can live in water with a high salt content as in St. Lucia Estuary in South Africa. The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is the third most dangerous shark, after the great white and tiger shark.. Bull sharks belong to one of the most popular shark families: the requiem sharks; and is a member of the genus Galeocerdo.. [11], Bull sharks have a bite force up to 5,914 newtons (1,330 lbf), weight for weight the highest among all investigated cartilaginous fishes. By the weight of the net and the heavy thrashing, the duo knew something big was in the net and headed into shore. (347 kg) and was caught near Cairns, Australia. They are opportunistic feeders targeting bony fishes, sharks, turtles, birds, dolphins and terrestrial mammals. The maximum reported length of the bull shark is 400 cm (~13 ft) (Compagno et al. [20] Several were sighted in one of the main streets of Goodna, Queensland, shortly after the peak of the January 2011, floods. Bull Sharks :: MarineBio Video Library Bull sharks, Carcharhinus leucas (Müller and Henle, 1839), aka zambezi, ganges (often confused with the Ganges river shark, Glyphis gangeticus), ground sharks, river sharks, freshwater whalers, estuary whalers, shovelnoses, slipway greys, and swan river whalers, are massive and fearsome sharks with a short, broad, blunt snouts, small eyes, and triangular saw-edged upper teeth. National Geographic Bull Shark Video The bull shark is considered the likely culprit for the infamous series of five attacks that occurred in New Jersey in 1916 that resulted in four fatalities over a 12 day period. Snout is much shorter than width of mouth and bluntly rounded. Bull sharks in freshwater environments decrease the salt-excretory activity of the rectal gland, thereby conserving sodium and chloride. (http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/gallery/descript/bullshark/bullshark.htm) They were trapped following a flood of the Logan and Albert Rivers in 1996. Data and formulas are from studies conducted by TPWD and other scientific groups All lengths are total lengths unless fork length (FL) or lower jaw to fork length (LJFL) is indicated. Bright yellow mesh netting was found to be easily avoided when it was placed in the path of the bull shark. This is mostly due to their feeding patterns, since they prefer murky waters. Seeing scratches and other marks on a mature female which may be from the mating ritual is not uncommon. The bull shark can be up to 81 cm (2.66 ft) in length at birth. The largest tiger shark captured weight was 1,450 pounds. The name “bull shark” comes from the shark’s stocky shape, broad, flat snout, and aggressive, unpredictable behavior. … Age of maturity is between 15-20 years and the known lifespan is >25 years (Compagno et al. Humans have not domesticated bull sharks in any way. The bull shark prefers coastal water, which is less than 100 feet in depth. 1995) and maximum reported weight is 316.5 kg (~698 pounds) (IGFA 2001). Male bull sharks weight around 200 pounds while female bull sharks can reach up to 290 pounds. Domestication. The largest recorded bull shark was a 4.0 m (13.1 ft) female. The heaviest recorded bull shark was 694 lb (315kg) Bull sharks do not have an interdorsal ridge. Does the Bull Shark Make a Good Pet. Females reach a length of 4 meters, males are smaller – their length does not exceed 2.5 m. The maximum documented weight of the caught bull shark was 316.5 kg.Body color is not striking – the gray back smoothly passing on the sides to the light belly. 44894). It has not yet been conclusively resolved. It is found to a depth of 150 m (490 ft), but does not usually swim deeper than 30 m (98 ft). Evolutionary assumptions can be made to help explain this sort of evolutionary disconnect, one being that the bull shark encountered a population bottleneck that occurred during the last ice age. In the Gulf of Mexico mating occurs during summer months, and the pups are born the following April-June. It is one of very few species that readily move into freshwater, and apparently can spend long periods of time in such environments (Sharks of the Genus Glyphis are also capable of living in freshwater). Adult bull sharks have few natural predators. Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is well-known for its unpredictable, capricious and aggressive nature.More than any of the other sharks, bull shark is the most feared and dangerous. The bull shark's caudal fin is longer and lower than that of the larger sharks, and it has a small snout, and lacks an interdorsal ridge. They can weigh over 320 kilograms or 700 pounds in weight. Many of the euryhaline fish are bony fish such as salmon and tilapia and are not closely related to bull sharks. Description. The cause of death could have been starvation since the primary food source for bull sharks resides in salt water.[40]. All elasmobranchs have a rectal gland which functions in the excretion of excess salts accumulated as a consequence of living in seawater. While a maximum size of 3.5 m (11 ft) is commonly reported, a single record exists of a female specimen of exactly 4.0 m (13.1 ft). Young bull sharks leave the brackish water in which they are born and move out into the sea to breed. [4] Crocodiles may be a threat to bull sharks in rivers as well. Bull sharks are known for their “bull-headed” look and territorial behaviors. In the western Atlantic, bull sharks migrate north along the coast of the U.S. during summer, swimming as far north as Massachusetts, and then return to tropical climates when the coastal waters cool (Simpfendorfer and Burgess 2009). Their diet can also include turtles, birds, dolphins, terrestrial mammals, crustaceans, and echinoderms. The bull shark is not currently legally protected in any part of its range. [22] In the Pacific Ocean, it can be found from Baja California to Ecuador. In a research experiment, the bull sharks were found to be at the mouth of an estuary for the majority of the time. The largest tiger shark captured weight was 1,450 pounds. Parasites The bull shark is also known as the zambezi shark. Review of the Freshwater Sharks of Iran (Family Carcharhinidae). In early June 2012, off the coast of the Florida Keys near the western part of the Atlantic Ocean, a female believed to measure at least 8 ft (2.4 m) and 800–850 lb (360–390 kg) was caught by members of the R.J. Dunlap Marine Conservation Program. [27] Bull sharks have also been found in the Potomac River in Maryland. The IUCN is a global union of states, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations in a partnership that assesses the conservation status of species. A male bull shark can reach an average length of 7.4 feet and an average weight of 209 pounds. (ISAF 2018). [21] A large bull shark was caught in the canals of Scarborough, just north of Brisbane within Moreton Bay. Bull sharks can be found worldwide along coastal areas, lakes and rivers. It have a dark gray on the back and white on the belly. The average lifespan of a bull shark is 16 years. [56], Bull sharks have no natural predators in the wild, in fact humans are their biggest threat. A 9 foot (2.7 m) bull shark was also captured a day later only 10 miles (16 km) from Matawan. The developing pups (one to thirteen per litter) are nourished internally via a yolk-sac placenta. Like most of the requiem sharks in the genus Carcharhinus, Bull sharks are plain grey above, with a pale to white underbelly. A bull shark can swim at a speed of approximately 40.2 km/h which is around 25mph. 2009. Masks are required at all times. The stomach was opened and all that was found were two small, unidentifiable fishes. (2005). 2. 1995) and maximum reported weight is 316.5 kg (~698 pounds) (IGFA 2001). Females may be over 11 feet long and weigh about 500 pounds. 2005). Upper jaw teeth of the bull shark are broad, triangular, and heavily serrated. The bull shark is one of the few cartilaginous fishes that have been reported in freshwater systems. And that’s despite how the maximum average bull shark size is 11 feet! The largest weight of a whale shark registered is 47,000 pounds or 21.5 tonnes. Tips For Making A Basic Weight For Landbased Shark Fishing 1) Make sure you are using a rock that is between 10-15lbs Trust us you will be happy you picked a big rock, the last thing you want is for one bait to get pushed in by heavy surf and for the rest of your lines to get completely tangled. Bull sharks are wider and heavier than other requiem sharksof comparable lengt… 9253 ); max. They also consume stingrays and juvenile sharks including small individuals of their own species in their inshore nursery habitats. [30] The golf course has capitalized on the novelty and now hosts a monthly tournament called the "Shark Lake Challenge". Size at birth is 56-81 cm (~2-3 ft) and size at maturity is 157-226 cm (~5-7 ft) for males and 180-230 cm (~6-7.5 ft) for females (Simpfendorfer and Burgess 2009). Predators Bull sharks have small eyes relative to most other carcharhinid sharks which suggests that vision may not be as important for this species which often occurs in turbid waters. The bull shark's caudal fin is longer and lower than that of the larger sharks, and it has a small snout, and lacks an interdorsal ridge. They give birth in the fresh water of rivers. [31], The bull shark is the best known of 43 species of elasmobranch in 10 genera and four families to have been reported in fresh water. Male bull sharks grow to about seven feet (2.1 meters) in length, and females grow to 11 feet (3.3 meters) or more. In younger individuals the fins have dark tips which fade to a more diffuse dusky color as they grow. This has been a topic of controversy for many years, and there is evidence that points to the involvement of both the bull shark and the white shark. The young are about 70 cm (27.6 in) at birth. The first dorsal fin is high with a pointed tip; the second dorsal is much smaller. The bull shark can be up to 81 cm (2.66 ft) in length at birth. They were testing to find out what determined the movement of the young bull sharks. Because of these factors, the IUCN lists bull sharks as Near Threatened. [56] Another way for the bull shark to conserve energy is to decrease the amount of energy needed to osmoregulate the surrounding environment. The name "bull shark" comes from the shark's stocky shape, broad, flat snout, and aggressive, unpredictable behavior. [8], Some of the bull shark's closest living relatives do not have the capabilities of osmoregulation. This is due to a longer lifespan, as females live about 16 years as compared to 12 years. [35] Despite this, the solute composition (i.e. Humans have not domesticated bull sharks in any way. Dentition This was found to be the reason that sharks are attracted to bright yellow survival gear rather than ones that were painted black. They are also known to frequent bays and estuaries which is considered an ideal location for shark nurseries. The meat is either used for fish meal or sold in local markets for human consumption. After fitting the massive shark with an ID tag, they released her back into the deep blue. It is known by many different common names throughout its range including requin bouledogue in French speaking countries; Tiburon sarda in Spain; Zambezi shark, Van Rooyen’s shark in South Africa; The Ganges shark in India (though this name is also given to the freshwater river shark Glyphis gangeticus); The Nicaragua shark in Central America; The freshwater whaler, estuary whaler, and Swan River whaler in Australia; The shovelnose shark, square-nose shark, river shark, slipway grey shark, ground shark, and cub shark in various English speaking parts of the world. The snout is wide and equipped with sharp, triangular teeth while eyes are small. From there, weights are smaller and change according with the species. [54] In India, bull sharks swim up the Ganges River and have bitten bathers. Like many fish, bull sharks exhibit countershading, or dark coloration on top and light coloration on the underbelly.This helps the animals blend into their surroundings—from above, its dark back blends into the murky water below. The movement was found to be directly related to the bull shark conserving energy for itself. The average male would be about 7 feet long and weight about 200 pounds. The bull shark has some unusual traits compared to its cousins: thanks to how their bodies regulate salt, they can exist just as comfortably in freshwater as they can in the ocean, which means they often appear in large rivers and lakes which sit within 100 miles of the sea. The largest weight of a whale shark registered is 47,000 pounds or 21.5 tonnes. Length/Weight Conversions for Marine Fishes of Texas. Bull sharks occur in tropical to subtropical coastal waters, worldwide. Bull Shark Habitat and Behavior A full grown bull shark can be around 10 to 11 meters in length. The second dorsal fin is smaller than the first. The Bull shark is also not as readily identified as is the white shark or the tiger shark, and so may be responsible for a large fraction of the of the attacks that go unassigned to species (ISAF 2018). Carcharhinus leucas. There is evidence that while they can breed in freshwater, they do not do so as regularly as they do in estuarine and marine habitats. Although there is no current evidence that aquarium collecting has had an impact on the wild population of bull sharks, the demand for sharks in the aquarium industry has grown substantially over the past 20 years. Bull sharks can also tolerate hypersaline water as high as 53 parts per thousand (Simpfendorfer and Burgess 2009). First dorsal fin originates over or slightly behind pectoral insertion, 3. Males can reach 200 pounds and 7 feet in length. The bull shark name derives from its stout appearance and reputation for aggressive behavior. It has also appeared in the literature as Carcharias (Prionodon) zambezensis,Carcharhinus zambezensis, Prionodon platyodon, Squalus platyodon, Squalus obtusus, Eulamia nicaraguensis, Carcharias azureus, Carcharias spenceri, Galeolamna (Bogimba) bogimba, Galeolamna greyi mckaili, and Carcharhinus vanrooyeni. The female bull shark can reach a weight of 500 pounds and a length of 5 feet. Bull sharks are very stout-bodied and have a blunt, rounded snout. [51], In 2008, researchers tagged and recorded the movements of young bull sharks in the Caloosahatchee River estuary. A typical female bull shark is 2.4 m (7.9 ft) long and weighs 130 kg (290 lb), while a male averages 2.25 m (7.4 ft) and 95 kg (209 lb). > Check the status of the bull shark at the IUCN website. [33] They stayed at the mouth of the river independent of the salinity of the water. It is known for its aggressive nature, and presence in warm, shallow brackish and freshwater systems including estuaries and rivers. They can weigh over 320 kilograms or 700 pounds in weight. The size at birth is around 29 inches (75 cm). 2005). [24] The species has a distinct preference for warm currents. [36] The kidneys produce large amounts of dilute urine, but also play an important role in the active reabsorption of solutes into the blood. Though the bull shark is not a targeted species in most commercial fisheries, it is regularly captured on bottom longline gear. Size at birth is 56-81 cm (~2-3 ft) and size at maturity is 157-226 cm (~5-7 ft) for males and 180-230 cm (~6-7.5 ft) for females (Simpfendorfer and Burgess 2009). A crocodile in South Africa was also reported to have consumed a bull shark. [49] The size of a fully matured female bull shark to produce viable eggs for fertilization seems to be 175 cm to 235 cm. [56] It was found that the young bull sharks synchronously moved downriver when the environmental conditions changed. Three of these attacks occurred in Matawan Creek, a shallow tidal river, only 40 feet (12 m) across, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from bay waters, and over 15 miles (24 km) from the open ocean; not a location where any other large shark species would likely occur. Lower jaw teeth have a broad base, and are narrow and triangular with fine serrations. The Natal Sharks Board reports that the average size of bull sharks caught in their beach nets have significantly declined in recent years, which does not bode well for South African populations of the species. The bull shark's caudal fin is longer and lower than that of the larger sharks, and it has a small snout, and lacks an interdorsal ridge. Adult female bull sharks average 2.4 m (7.9 ft) long and typically weigh 130 kg (290 lb), whereas the slightly smaller adult male averages 2.25 m (7.4 ft) and 95 kg (209 lb). In the commercial shark fishery in the southeastern U.S., in the 1990’s, the Bull shark comprised 1-6% of the large coastal shark catch. Bull sharks have smaller eyes than many other requiem sharks. 9997, 44894, 81283).Capable of covering great distances (up to 180 kilometers in 24 hours), moving between fresh and brackish water at random (Ref. [4][12][13] Bull sharks are wider and heavier than other requiem sharks of comparable length, and are grey on top and white below. Bull sharks are large and stout, with females being larger than males. osmolarity) of a bull shark in fresh water is still much higher than that of the external environment. [4], The male bull shark is able to begin reproducing around the age of 15 years while the female cannot begin reproducing until the age of 18 years. Bull sharks have a bite force up to 5,914 newtons (1,330 lbf), weight for weight the highest among all investigated cartilaginous fishes. Revised by Lindsay French and Gavin Naylor 2018. [52] This is an explanation for the behavior that is observed from the Bull sharks as to why there would be any reason for the adult bull shark to ever travel into a freshwater area despite being able to tolerate the high salinity of marine water. [2][42][43] Bull sharks have been known to use the bump-and-bite technique to attack their prey. A bull shark bites with a force of under 6000 newtons. Its wide range and diverse habitats result in many other local names, including Ganges River shark, Fitzroy Creek whaler, van Rooyen's shark, Lake Nicaragua shark,[6] river shark, freshwater whaler, estuary whaler, Swan River whaler,[7] cub shark, and shovelnose shark. Its genus, Carcharhinus, also includes the sandbar shark, which is not capable of osmoregulation. They estimated that in the first two years, the growth rate is about 16-18cm per year. They have been recorded to move at over 11 mph (19 km/h) over short distances. Typically, females are larger than makes and generally live longer. This is a distraction tactic; if the predator moves to eat the regurgitated food the bull shark can use the opportunity to escape. 2005). It was found that bull sharks tended to avoid mesh netting of bright colors rather than colors that blended in with the water. Many of these bite incidents were attributed to the Ganges shark, Glyphis gangeticus, a critically endangered river shark species, although the sand tiger shark was also blamed during the 1960s and 1970s. Growth rates have been calculated by Thorson and Lacy (1982) using tag recapture information in Lake Nicaragua. [33] The young are not born with a high tolerance for high salinity, so they are born in fresh water and stay there until they are able to travel out. The approximate size of a Bull shark is about 6 feet but can go as high as up to 11.5 feet. After fitting the massive shark with an ID tag, they released her back into the deep blue. A full grown bull shark can be around 10 to 11 meters in length. The bull shark prefers to live in shallow coastal waters less than 100 feet deep (30 m), but ranges from 3-450 feet deep (1-150 m). The largest recorded bull shark was a 4.0 m (13.1 ft) female. Females often bear mating scars on their flanks. Bull sharks tend to weigh between 200 and 500 pounds. [33] The majority of the newborn or very young bull sharks were found in the freshwater area, whereas the much older bull sharks were found to be in the saltwater areas, as they had developed a much better tolerance for the salinity. Fun Fact: Bull sharks were blamed for a series of attacks in 1916, which served inspiration for Peter Benchley’s book Jaws, which Steven Spielberg turned into a blockbuster movie in 1975. [52] The freshwater acts as a protective area where the young are able to grow and mature without the threat of larger sharks preying on the younger bull sharks. [33] Reproduction is one of the reasons why adult bull sharks travel into the river—it is thought to be a physiological strategy to improve juvenile survival and a way to increase overall fitness of bull sharks. 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. The pectoral fins are also large, broad and angular. [34] This bottleneck may have separated the bull shark from the rest of the Elasmobranchii subclass and favored the genes for an osmoregulatory system. The maximum reported length of the bull shark is 400 cm (~13 ft) (Compagno et al. [11] Adult female bull sharks average 2.4 m (7.9 ft) long and typically weigh 130 kg (290 lb), whereas the slightly smaller adult male averages 2.25 m (7.4 ft) and 95 kg (209 lb). Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. The inshore nursery grounds are particularly at risk. Bull Shark females grow larger than males, and average nearly 8 feet in length and 285 pounds in weight. Distinctive Features Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age Maturity: L m 193.0 , range 180 - 230 cm Max length : 360 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. It is considered by many to be the most dangerous shark in the world. [41] Bull sharks tagged inside the lake have later been caught in the open ocean (and vice versa), with some taking as few as seven to 11 days to complete the journey. The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas), also known as the "Zambezi shark" (informally "zambi") in Africa, and "Lake Nicaragua shark" in Nicaragua, is a requiem shark commonly found worldwide in warm, shallow waters along coasts and in rivers. Size, Age & Growth At some points, the harassment of the male can become violent. Young bull sharks, however, can fall prey to tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier), sandbar sharks (Carcharhinus plumbeus), and other Bull sharks. 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