Their scientific name is Carcharhinus leucas, Bull sharks are one of the top three sharks implicated in unprovoked fatal attacks throughout the world. The statistics show that in 2004, there were 61 unprovoked shark attacks and 30 of them in the US. Out of a population of 300 million your chances are 1 in 10 million that you would be attacked. Hmmm, it really makes you think. Sharks are considered an Apex predator, which means they prey on many species lower on the food chain. Few sharks have natural predators and are less abundant than their prey. Where can you find bull sharks you ask? You can find them off the Atlantic coast of the U.S., from Massachusetts (rare) to the Gulf of Mexico. Off the pacific coast southern California (rare) to the Gulf of California. They are most common around the Florida coastline. Their habitat is primarily shallow coastal waters, lagoons, bays, and river mouths. The really scary part is Bull sharks can also be found in fresh water that connects to salt water and have been caught in the Mississippi river as far upstream as Illinois. Fact: Jaws was based on a bull shark but no one knew what a bull shark was so they used Great white. That true attacked happened up in Matawan River in NJ back in 1916. The Bull Shark species reaches maturity at about 6 years and lives at least 14 years. Their litters can range from 1 pup to 13 and they can go 1 to 2 years between litters. Most Bulls dont grow past 9 feet long but have been caught larger than 11.5. The females are average 500lbs and 5ft long and the males are around 200lb and 7 feet long. So the next time you are at the beach with your Bull Shark tooth necklace from www.treasuresnjewelry.com keep your eyes peeled for a dark shape in the water. |
