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Bull shark Facts

Bull shark Facts
Bull shark is a type of shark that is best known by its aggressive behavior. This fish can be found in warm, shallow waters of all oceans of the world. Bull sharks can survive in brackish water (mixture of salty and fresh water), but they can be also found in the Amazon and Mississippi rivers and in various lakes. Ability to survive in different habitats, especially those that are commonly shared with humans (shallow waters), make it one of the most dangerous shark species. People hunt bull sharks because of their skin, oil and meat. Although number of bull sharks decreased significantly in the last couple of decades, bull shark is not on the list of endangered species.
Interesting Bull shark Facts:
Females are heavier, but shorter than males. Female bull shark can reach weight of 500 pounds and length of 5 feet. Males can reach 200 pounds and 7 feet in length.
Bull sharks have grey backs and white bellies. Tips of the fins are black, especially in younger sharks.
Body of the bull shark is stout. Snout is wide and equipped with sharp, triangular teeth. Eyes are small.
Bull sharks are named that way because they have blunt snouts and habit to attack the prey by hitting it first in the butt using the heads (just like bulls).
Bull shark possesses long pectoral fins that are used for cruising through the shallow waters while it searches for the next meal.
Bull shark usually swims 4.9 miles per hour, but it can accelerate its speed on up to 11.8 miles per hour when needed.
Bull sharks have developed special adaptations to ensure survival both in marine and fresh waters. Their kidneys and a gland near the tail prevent loss of body salt in the water of low salinity.
Bull shark is carnivore with great appetite. Fish, turtles, crustaceans, dolphins, birds and other sharks, are normal part of the bull shark's menu.
Bull sharks are active both during the night and day.
1Bull shark does not normally eat people. It will attack anything that moves in its territory, including humans. On average, 16 attacks on humans happen each year in the USA. Every two years, one of those attacks ends up fatally.
Group of bull sharks is known as school or shoal.
Bull sharks mate during the summer and early autumn in the brackish waters of coastal lagoons and river mouth. Male bull sharks are especially aggressive during that period.
Bull sharks are viviparous organisms (female gives birth to live babies). Pregnancy lasts 12 months.
Female usually have between 4 and 10 babies per mating season. Young bull sharks are 28 inches long at birth. They will reach the size of adult animal after ten years.
Average lifespan of bull shark is 12 years in the wild.


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