Bull/Zambezi /Zambezi shark (Carcharhinus leucas)

The Bull Shark is a species that has for a long time confused scientists with their unique ability to swim from Salt Water into Fresh Water. The Bull Shark is fairly large in size and known to be one of the top 4 sharks responsible for attacks on humans. Bull sharks can be territorial and aggressive and tend to swim mainly in shallow waters which therefore regularly bring them into contact with humans. The Bull Shark has a grey-silvery back with a white underside. Its nose is short and round and body is stocky and very powerful looking. Bull Sharks are born with black tips on the fins but the black fades with maturity. A Bull shark’s teeth are serrated and these teeth enable it to even saw through a turtle shell and bone.

Size – on average, females reach lengths of 2.5m and males 2.3m.

Characteristics – Bull sharks have a grey colouration with a white belly. 

They characteristically have a short, blunt snout.

Diet – sharks and fish, rays, birds, turtles, dolphins, carcasses and crustaceans

Life Span – 16 years

Reproduction - Litters of 1 to 13 pups are common after a gestation period of about one year. Pups are about 28 inches (70 cm) long at birth.

Risk to humans – Bull sharks that hunt in murky coastal waters and rivers, occur closer inshore and in freshwater and are commonly implicated in attacks on humans.  Bull sharks may possibly be the most frequent attackers of humans.

Where can they be found?   Bull sharks are found in all tropical and subtropical seas along the coastlines. They are also one of the only sharks to venture into freshwater rivers and lakes.