Brutish bull sharks get a bad rep. Despite joining greatwhite and tiger sharks in the 'Big Three' for shark attacks, theseformidable fish face far more danger from us than we do from them.As apex predators, bull sharks are pivotal to keeping marineecosystems in balance. However, like many other shark species, theyare classified as 'Vulnerable' by the IUCN, with their main threatsarising from human activity. The key to conserving thesemisunderstood marine marvels is understanding them. From theirunique biological quirks to their maternal instincts, discover tenfascinating bull shark facts.
1, The ‘Bull’ in Bull Shark
Stoutly bull sharks get their name from their short, bluntsnout, stocky appearance and bullish nature. These compactpowerhouses reach an average length of three-and-a-half metres andcan weigh up to a whopping 500 pounds. As one of the most dangerousshark species of the sea, these aggressive predators will oftenhead-butt their prey before attacking.
2. The Tenacious Wanderers
Bull sharks are renowned for their incredible migratorypatterns. They aren't bothered by freshwater, meaning they cannavigate vast distances across oceans, rivers and tributaries.Unlike other shark species, these versatile wanderers can venturefar inland up freshwater systems for feeding or breeding purposes.Take Brisbane River in Queensland, Australia, which regularly hostsas many as 20 bull sharks in its waters.
3. The Ultimate Opportunists
Bull sharks aren't fussy eaters. As opportunistic predators,bull sharks will chow down on anything they come across, with awide-ranging menu that includes fish, rays, turtles, crustaceans,dolphins, and even other sharks - including bull sharks. Theirpowerful jaws and serrated teeth make them formidable hunters,capable of taking down prey larger than themselves.
4. Human Encounters
Bull sharks are renowned for being the most dangerous sharkspecies in the world, and, alongside tiger sharks and great whites,are the most likely to attack humans. Bull sharks are aggressiveand highly territorial, often staking their claim in areas whereresources are plentiful, like tropical coastlines. Unfortunately,humans also tend to flock to these areas, and while we aren't ontheir menu, bull sharks are known for sometimes attacking peopleout of curiosity.
5. A Formidable Bite
The bite force of a bull shark is nothing short of impressive.With bite strength estimated to be around 1,300 pounds per squareinch (psi), they have one of the most powerful bites of any fish,out-biting both great white sharks and great hammerheads.
6. They Thrive in Both Marine and Freshwater Habitats
Unlike most shark species, bull sharks can adapt and thrive inboth saltwater and freshwater. Bull sharks are capable ofosmoregulation, whereby they can regulate the balance of salt andwater in their bodies. When bull sharks venture into freshwaterrivers or lakes, they actively retain the necessary salts in theirbodies to prevent dehydration.
7. Unique Reproductive Strategy
Unlike most shark species that lay eggs, bull sharks follow anovoviviparous reproductive strategy. The females keep fertilizedeggs inside their bodies until they hatch, giving birth to liveyoung. This adaptation enables bull sharks to provide immediateprotection and increases the chances of offspring survival.
8. Maternal Instincts
After a gestation period of around 12 months, female bull sharksgive birth to live young in estuaries or shallow coastal waters.While female bull sharks do not rear their young, these nurseriesprovide protection from larger predators, ensuring the survival ofthe next generation of bull sharks. Once bull sharks mature, theytend to move to saltwater habitats.
9. Where to Dive with Bull Sharks
Despite their man-eating reputation, bull sharks pose minimalrisk to humans. While these stocky predators can be found in warm,coastal waters around the world, there are several stand-out spotswhere you can safely dive with bull sharks. One of the most famousdives - The Arena - takes place in Beqa Lagoon, Fiji. Hailed as thebest shark dive in the world, divers can see bull sharks alongsidetawny nurse, sicklefin lemon, silvertip and tiger sharks. Otherpopular spots include Playa del Carmen in the Yucatan Peninsula andCabo Pulmo in Baja California, Mexico.
10. Conservation Concerns
Unfortunately, bull sharks face many threats due to humanactivities and are currently listed as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN RedList of Threatened Species. While there have been 121 bull sharkattacks in history, an estimated 100 million sharks are killedevery year by humans. The main threat to bull sharks is humans,with overfishing, habitat destruction and water pollutionsignificantly affecting their populations.
If these bull shark facts have inspired you to dive withthese misunderstood marine creatures, get in touch with our divingexperts to learn the best places and times to dive with bullsharks.
