Bull Shark Facts For Kids | Bull Shark Habitat & Diet

Here are some of the most wonderful bull shark facts for kids including bull shark habitat, diet, reproduction and its attacks on other species. The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas), is a shark widely found in tepid coastal and shallow waters. These are also known as Zambezi shark or Zambi especially in Africa.

These shark species are one of the most aggressive sharks of its family. They make others to feel their presence in shallow water and also in freshwaters including rivers and estuaries. These species are known to travel great distances in rivers and are capable to live in both freshwater and saltwater. They can cover vast distances to reach even Ohio River and Indiana River. Bull sharks are often involved in most of the shark attacks. The scientists are of the view that these sharks, although grow in a freshwater, are not true freshwater species.

Amazing Bull Shark Facts For Kids

• Bull sharks are found in both freshwaters as well as in saltwater.
• They are considered to be one of the most aggressive shark species.
• Bull sharks occasionally dive more than 150 meters deep into the water; their average dive is no more than 30 meters deep.
• They are known to travel vast distances through waters.
• The males are shorter as compared to females.
• The bull sharks can grow to a size of about 81 cm (2.66 feet).
• The length of adult female measures around 2.4 meters (7.9 feet) and the weight measuring at 130 kg (290 lb).
• The adult male is 2.25 meters (7.4 feet) and weighs around 95 kg (210 lb).
• The largest bull shark ever recorded was 3.5 meters (11 feet), with some record sizes of certain specimens measuring at 4 meters (13 feet), and the weight of about 575 kg (1,270 lb).
• As far as physical appearance of bull sharks are concerned, they are relatively broader and heavier.
• They have a powerful bite force of about 567 kg (1,250 lb).
• In general, bull sharks are solitary hunters but they are also found hunting in pairs.
• Bull sharks can often be seen while cruising.
• They are highly capable to accelerate at a rapid pace.
• Bull sharks are considered to be highly territorial species and they won’t hesitate to attack those that enter into their territory.
• For the reason that these species are more readily found in shallow water, they are more likely to attack humans whosoever approaches them.
• The bull sharks are regarded as apex predators.

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Where Do Bull Sharks Live

The bull shark habitat can be found in all the major coastal freshwaters including rivers, lakes, and even oceans. Although these sharks prefer to stay in the middle of the water but sometimes they also dive deep into the ocean. Bull sharks are believed to go 150 meters (490 feet) deep into the waters; however, they normally dive no more than 30 meters (98 feet). These species have cosmopolitan distribution and they inhabit all along southern Brazil, Morocco, Massachusetts, and Angola. Some other waters include South Africa, Vietnam, India, Australia, and Kenya.

According to a rough estimate, there are around 500 bull sharks dwelling in the Brisbane River. They are also found in canals of Gold Coast, Queensland. A good many number of these individuals are known to reside in the Pacific Ocean from Baja California to Ecuador. They are known to travel vast distances of about 4,000 km (2,500 miles) and reaching Iquitos and Amazon River in Peru. Some of these individuals are also found in the freshwaters of river Ganges in West Bengal (Assam, Eastern India), St. Lucia Estuary (South Africa), and Lake Nicaragua.

What Do Bull Sharks Eat | Interesting Bull Shark Facts For Kids

The bull shark diet comprises bony fish and other small sharks. Bull sharks primarily prey on dolphins, birds, turtles, terrestrial fish, echinoderms, and crustaceans.

Reproduction

• The mating season of bull sharks begin in early autumn and late summer. The mating is often seen to take place in brackish water.
• The period of gestation lasts for about 12 months.
• The females give birth to 4 – 10 babies.
• These juveniles are 70 cm (27.6 inches) long.
• The bull sharks reach the maturity age after 10.

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