AY Honors/Species Account/Carcharhinus leucas

Carcharhinus leucas

Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas)

Where found: The bull shark is commonly found worldwide in coastal areas of warm oceans, in rivers and lakes, and occasionally salt and freshwater streams if they are deep enough. It is found to a depth of 150 meters (490 ft), but does not usually swim deeper than 30 meters (98 ft). In the Atlantic, it is found from Massachusetts to southern Brazil, and from Morocco to Angola. In the Indian Ocean, it is found from South Africa to Kenya, India, and Vietnam to Australia.

Description: At 12 feet long, 650 pounds, the Bull Shark very closely resembles the Tiger Shark. Together with the Great White, these three species of shark account for 99% of annual shark attacks. The Bull Shark is the most voracious of the bunch: it will eat anything that moves, including other Bull Sharks, Tiger Sharks, etc. Compounding its danger, the Bull Shark prefers shallow waters. Therefore, it poses a huge threat to swimmers and divers.