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    Bull shark

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    Fearless and formidable, these aggressive predators command respect in the waters they roam

    Albert kok








      Saved In:


    Bull shark

    EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

    Fearless and formidable, these aggressive predators command respect in the waters they roam

    Population

    Indeed, they are among the most versatile and formidable predators in the aquatic world, notable for their stocky figure, aggressive reputation, and remarkable physiological adaptations. Their stout appearance, reminiscent of a bull, and infamous tenacious behavior inspired their name.

    Adult bull sharks typically measure between 2.1 to 3.4 meters (7 to 11 feet) in length and weigh between 90 to 230 kilograms (200 to 500 pounds), although larger specimens have been recorded. With a gray top and a white underside, they possess a counter-shaded body that camouflages them from both prey below and threats above.

    Equipped with a highly tuned sensory system, bull sharks can detect minute electrical fields emitted by other creatures, making them exceptionally skilled hunters. This sense is facilitated by the ampullae of Lorenzini, a network of jelly-filled pores that provides them with a sixth sense to locate prey.

    One of the bull shark’s most intriguing characteristics is their ability to tolerate freshwater, a trait uncommon among sharks. This is achieved through a process known as osmoregulation, where they adjust their internal salt concentration to match their environment. Bull sharks have been found upriver thousands of kilometers from the ocean, such as in the Amazon and Mississippi Rivers and even in Lake Nicaragua, leading to myths of freshwater sharks in these regions.

    Bull sharks are known for their aggressive nature, a trait that has garnered them an undeserved reputation as being highly dangerous to humans. While they are responsible for a number of attacks on humans, these incidents are typically cases of mistaken identity or defensive behavior rather than predatory.

    Distribution

    Country
    Population est.
    Status
    Year
    Comments
    Atlantic Ocean
    2020
    Indian Ocean
    2020
    Pacific Ocean
    2020
    American Samoa
    2020
    Angola
    2020
    Anguilla
    2020
    Antigua & Barbuda
    2020
    Aruba
    2020
    Australia
    2020
    Bahamas
    2020
    Bahrain
    2020
    Bangladesh
    2020
    Barbados
    2020
    Belize
    2020
    Benin
    2020
    Bonaire
    2020
    Brazil
    2020
    British Virgin Is.
    2020
    Brunei
    2020
    Cambodia
    2020
    Cameroon
    2020
    Cayman Islands
    2020
    China
    2020
    Colombia
    2020
    Congo-Brazzaville
    2020
    Costa Rica
    2020
    Cuba
    2020
    Curaçao
    2020
    Côte D’ivoire
    2020
    DR Congo (Kinshasa)
    2020
    Djibouti
    2020
    Dominica
    2020
    Dominican Republic
    2020
    Ecuador
    2020
    El Salvador
    2020
    Equatorial Guinea
    2020
    Fiji
    2020
    French Guiana
    2020
    French Polynesia
    2020
    Gabon
    2020
    Gambia
    2020
    Ghana
    2020
    Grenada
    2020
    Guadeloupe
    2020
    Guatemala
    2020
    Guinea-Bissau
    2020
    Guinea
    2020
    Guyana
    2020
    Haiti
    2020
    Honduras
    2020
    India
    2020
    Indonesia
    2020
    Iran
    2020
    Iraq
    2020
    Jamaica
    2020
    Kenya
    2020
    Kuwait
    2020
    Liberia
    2020
    Madagascar
    2020
    Malawi
    2020
    Malaysia
    2020
    Maldives
    2020
    Martinique
    2020
    Mauritania
    2020
    Mauritius
    2020
    Possibly Extant
    Mexico
    2020
    Montserrat
    2020
    Morocco
    2020
    Mozambique
    2020
    Myanmar
    2020
    Namibia
    2020
    New Caledonia
    2020
    Nicaragua
    2020
    Nigeria
    2020
    Oman
    2020
    Pakistan
    2020
    Panama
    2020
    Papua New Guinea
    2020
    Peru
    2020
    Philippines
    2020
    Portugal
    2020
    Azores
    Puerto Rico
    2020
    Qatar
    2020
    Réunion
    2020
    Saint Lucia
    2020
    Saint Martin
    2020
    French Part
    Saint Vincent
    2020
    Samoa
    2020
    Saudi Arabia
    2020
    Senegal
    2020
    Seychelles
    2020
    Sierra Leone
    2020
    Sint Maarten
    2020
    Dutch Part
    Somalia
    2020
    South Africa
    2020
    Spain
    2020
    Sri Lanka
    2020
    St. Kitts & Nevis
    2020
    Suriname
    2020
    São Tomé & Príncipe
    2020
    Taiwan
    2020
    Tanzania
    2020
    Thailand
    2020
    Togo
    2020
    Tonga
    2020
    Trinidad & Tobago
    2020
    Turks & Caicos
    2020
    UAE
    2020
    US Virgin Islands
    2020
    United States
    2020
    Venezuela
    2020
    Vietnam
    2020
    Yemen
    2020
    Zimbabwe
    2020

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    Get to know me

    Terrestrial / Aquatic

    Altricial / Precocial

    Polygamous / Monogamous

    Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

    Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

    Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

    Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

    Migratory: Yes / No

    Domesticated: Yes / No

    Dangerous: Yes / No

    EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE
    Vulnerable(IUCN)
    World Population
    Added by BioDB
    Become a Patron

    Threats

    Habitat destruction / Climate change / Freshwater pollution / Marine pollution / Deforestation / Farming / Fishing practices / Poaching & wildlife trade / Invasive species / Parasites & diseases / Noise pollution / Light pollution

    My ID

    Scientific name: Carcharhinus leucas Other names:

    Zambezi shark
    Lake Nicaragua shark
    Ganges River shark
    Fitzroy Creek whaler
    van Rooyen’s shark
    River shark
    Freshwater whaler
    Estuary whaler
    Swan River whaler
    Cub shark
    Shovelnose shark

    Physical traits

    Length: 2.25 m (7 ft) – Male
    2.4 m (8 ft) – Female
     Weight Male: 95 kg (209 pounds) Weight Female: 130 kg (290 pounds) Lifespan: 16 years Speed: 19 km/h (11 mph) Gestation: 12 months Offspring: 1 – 13 young
    Habitats: Coastal Marine Coral reef Fresh water Rivers
    Regions: Africa Asia Atlantic Ocean Europe North America Oceania South America
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