Bull Shark

The bull shark is arguably one of the most dangerous species of sharks, but also one of the most facinating. Known by many different common names, this animal has been linked to attacks around the world including some that have occurred deep inland in freshwater rivers and lakes.

They are common worldwide in warm and shallow waters along coasts and in rivers. The bull shark is well known for its unpredicatable and aggressive behavior. Unlike most other marine sharks, bull sharks tolerate not only salt water, but fresh water. They have been spoted hundreds of miles up the Amazon River, Ganges River, and Mississippi River!

The diet of bull sharks include fish, other sharks, rays, dolphins, turtles, birds, molluscs, echinoderms, crustaceans, and even terrestrial mammals. Bull sharks have been known to use the "bump and bite" techniques when attacking their prey. Bull sharks are solitary hunters as they cruise through shallow waters. They can suddenly burst into speed and are extremely territorial.

Bull sharks usually breed in the murky water of river mouths during the summers. Their gestation period is about a year long and one female may give birth to up to 13 live young that are about 28 inches long!

Humans pose the biggest threat to bull sharks followed by larger sharks (great white, tiger, etc) and saltwater crocodiles (may eat them if they enter their freshwater territories). All in all, this is a pretty fascinating animal, especially with its ability to survive in salt and fresh water.