the Bull Shark

Carcharhinus Leucas

The Bull Shark is an amazing apex predator. Found in warm waters globally, both salt and fresh. It derives its name from its short, blunt snout and stocky body similar to a bull. Bull Sharks prefer coastal areas where they are commonly encountered by us. Bull Sharks are very cautious predators despite their mindless killing machine reputation. I can attest to their wary nature personally having spent time with them both above and below the surface. The information I am passing along here is from my own studies and personal encounters with Bull Sharks.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a Shark Scientist, Professional Shark Diver or Expert! I just love Sharks!

Some basic facts about Bull Sharks. They can live in fresh water and have been found as far up the Mississippi River as Ohio. They give birth to live young in shallow estuaries and rivers. The Sharks live in the shallows until they reach around 4ft, then they may venture into coastal bay waters. At around 5-6ft they will move into deeper bay waters, usually around bridges. 7ft plus they will move offshore to reefs. Bull Sharks are armed with up to 50 teeth at the ready, with many more waiting in reserve to replace lost teeth. This is the reason for the abundance of fossil teeth from Sharks. One Shark will lose thousands of teeth in a lifetime. Bull Sharks have the highest bite psi of any Shark, including the Great White. They are known to investigate potential prey items larger than other sharks of their size would. They prefer to hunt in dark and murky waters, where they have the element of surprise. Baby Bull Sharks will exhibit breaching behavior, as I have witnessed firsthand alot in Tampa Bay. Adult Bull Sharks have not been observed breaching to the best of my knowledge. Bull Sharks are a hardy species of Shark, but they are not immune to the dangers of overfishing, trophy fishing and animal abuse, such as the ones I've seen with bullet wounds on my dives in Jupiter. Globally they are listed as threatened.

Bull Sharks are beautiful and magnificent Sharks to observe in the wild, however, like all wild apex predators they do have the potential to cause harm to people. What to do if you encounter a Bull Shark? First, make eye contact and keep it if you are able to slowly exit the water. Bull Sharks know when they have been seen. Every time I have laid eyes on a Bull Shark from my paddleboard, they move away. They can tell I am looking at them, even when I am out of the water and standing on a board. Underwater, they move away when seen as well. DO NOT panic and try to swim away! Everything a Bull Shark eats in nature swims away from it so if you swim away, you may peak its curiosity. As I said earlier, Bull Sharks hunt in murky water, so avoid swimming in murky water. Do not swim if there are baitfish or dolphins present. Sharks and Dolphins are not mortal enemies as commonly thought. They are both apex predators and they do feed together. Do not swim in river mouths in places known for Bull Sharks, they will hunt at river mouths because of the abundance of food. If the worst should happen and a Shark comes too close, try to punch or grab the gills. In nature when Sharks attack other Sharks to kill, they attack the gills. Attacking the gills may increase the chance they will instinctively move away from you. If you have a large object, ie camera or boogie board, keep it between you and the Shark to redirect it. I have never had a Bull Shark act aggressively towards me paddleboarding or diving, but I am always alert to have something in hand to use for redirecting. When you enter the ocean, you must be aware and educated of the potential to encounter dangerous sealife. Do not treat the ocean like a pool at a water park. There are lots of things more dangerous than Sharks. IE Rip Currents.

I love Sharks and I am fortunate to live in Tampa Bay where I have commonly encountered Bull Sharks. I am a staunch Shark Conservation Advocate and I always enjoy sharing about Sharks to others. I have amazing friends in Shark Conservation as well! To see more about some of the Shark Saving efforts I support, such as Sharks4Kids, Project Hiu, M.I.S.S. and My Fiji Shark, Shark Safe Jewelry, Shark Artists and Shark Diving Operations, see their links below. Always, Respect the Locals!

Links to my shark friends: