CarcharhiniformesAttack Relevant

Bull Shark

Carcharhinus leucas

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Max Length

3.4m

Litter Size

1 to 13 pups

Overview

One of the most dangerous sharks due to its aggression, territorial behavior, and unique ability to survive in both salt and freshwater. Responsible for many attacks in murky coastal and river waters worldwide.

Habitat

Usually found close inshore in water less than 100 ft [30m] deep.

Distribution

Tropical & subtropical seas worldwide

Tropical and subtropical shallow coastal waters worldwide. This species has the ability to penetrate fresh water; it has been caught 2,294 miles [3,691 km] up the Amazon River in Peru, 340 miles [547 km] up the Zambesi River, and Lake Nicaragua has a landlocked population.

Behavior

General – divers report that the sharks are rarely seen at the surface; most are observed cruising over the top of the reef, and are frequently hosts to remoras.

Human Safety

This is a large, aggressive shark with massive jaws and it moves like a seasoned warrior. The GSAF has several cases in which the rapid ascent of a diver may have ‘released’ an aggressive response (similar to when an intruder flees from a guard dog). In each case, after a single bite on the diver’s leg (no tissue was removed by the shark), the shark sped back to the reef. More often, when this shark bites, it resembles a pit bull; it makes multiple bites accompanied by head-shaking to remove tissue, and inflicts injuries that are far more difficult to repair than those caused by a white shark. Perhaps because the shark scavenges on carrion and may make forays into polluted areas, wounds caused by this species have a higher-than-usual rate of infection.

Biology

Diet: The shark feeds primarily on bony fishes, but it is a versatile and opportunistic feeder and will eat smaller sharks, skates, turtles, birds, mammals, crustaceans and offal and garbage. The shark uses the teeth of its lower jaw to impale prey, then it swings its head from side-to-side using the heavy triangular teeth of its upper jaw to carve a mouthful of tissue from its prey.
Reproduction: Viviparous, with yolk-sac placenta
Birth Size: 81cm
Male Maturity: 2.26m

Appearance

Dorsal: Gray with a faint white band on its flank. The fin tips of young sharks are often dusky. Sometimes a bull shark’s back appears grazed, but these areas are actually bald patches caused by fluke infections that result in loss of dermal denticles from the skin.

Dentition

Upper jaw: Teeth in the upper jaw are triangular and strongly serrated, those of the
Lower jaw: jaw are slender, pointed and edged with fine serrations.

Conservation

Danger to humans – due to its size, dentition and aggressiveness, it is regarded as one of the most dangerous tropical sharks.

Sources:sharksorg

Recorded incidents involving the bull shark

Recorded

273

Fatal

Fatality rate

20.5%

Years

1880–2026

Top countries

Years with most incidents

202512
201512
202410
201110
200910

Counts are based on the species field of the Global Shark Attack File. Identifications by witnesses are often uncertain; treat figures as recorded incidents, not authoritative totals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks have been recorded involving the bull shark?

273 incidents in the Global Shark Attack File mention the bull shark, of which 56 were fatal (20.5%). Note that witness species identifications are often uncertain, so this is the count of recorded incidents.

Where do most bull shark incidents occur?

The countries with the most recorded bull shark incidents are United States, Australia, South Africa.

Is the bull shark dangerous to humans?

The bull shark is considered relevant to human-shark incidents and has been recorded in the Global Shark Attack File. As with any large shark, encounters in the wild should be avoided.

Where does this species data come from?

Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed taxonomy and published references. Incident data is sourced from the Global Shark Attack File and joined to species records by name match.

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