Bull Shark
Bull sharks are one of the top three sharks implicated in unprovoked fatal
attacks throughout the world.
Scientific
name: |
Carcharhinus
leucas |
Distribution: |
Off
the Atlantic coast of theUnited States bull sharks are found from
Massachusetts (rare north of Delaware) to the Gulf of Mexico and are
common off southeastern Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico. Off the
Pacific coast bull sharks are found from southern California (rare)
to the Gulf of California. |
Habitat: |
This species
can be found primarily in shallow coastal waters and is common in
lagoons, bays, and river mouths. Bull sharks can also be found in
fresh water that connects with salt water and have been caught in
the Mississippi River as far upstream as Illinois. |
Life history: |
This species
reaches maturity at about 6 years and lives at least 14 years. Number
of pups per litter ranges from 1 to 13. Bull sharks can grow to about
to 11.5 feet in length, although they rarely grow past 9 feet. |
Management:
|
In the Atlantic,
bull sharks are part of the large coastal shark management group,
which is overfished; commercial and recreational fishing regulations
are in place for this species. In the Pacific, bull sharks are not
landed in commercial and recreational fisheries and no management
measures are in place for this species. Finning is prohibited. |
Fast Facts About
Sharks
Sharks are vulnerable
to fishing pressure because they:
- Grow slowly
- Take many years
to mature (12 to 18 years in some species)
- Often reproduce
only every other year
- Have few young
per brood (only 2 pups in some species)
- Have specific requirements
for nursery areas (bays and estuaries)
- Are caught in many
types of fishing gear (hook and line, gillnet, trawl)
Sharks have adaptations
allowing them to be apex predators including:
- Teeth that are
replaced throughout their life
- Sensitive smell
receptors
- Eyes that adapt
quickly to low light levels
- Lateral line receptors
that sense movement in the water
- Electroreceptors
that detect electrical fields due to the presence of prey
For Further Information
Contact: (301) 713-2370
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