BULL SHARK

Dylan Lowe

Order - Carcharhiniformes
Family - Carcharhinidae
Genus - Carcharhinus
Species - leucas
The genus name Carcharhinus is derived from the Greek
"karcharos" = sharpen and "rhinos" = nose

CLASSIFICATION

Female
7.8

feet
285 pounds
Live about 16 years

Male
7.3 feet
209 pounds
Live about 12 years

FEMALE TAXONOMY

1. First dorsal large and triangular

2. First dorsal fin originates over or slightly behind pectoral
insertion
3. Snout is much shorter than width of mouth and bluntly
rounded
4. Eyes are small

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Upper jaw teeth of the bull shark are broad, triangular, and
heavily serrated.
Lower jaw teeth have a broad base, and are narrow and
triangular with fine serrations.
Anterior teeth are erect and nearly symmetrical, while
posterior teeth become more oblique in shape.

DENTITION

Bull sharks mostly feed on smaller sharks and bony fish

In the western Atlantic they commonly feed on mullet, tarpon,
catfishes, menhaden, gar, snook, jacks, mackerel, snappers,
and other schooling fish.
Other food items occasionally reported in bull sharks include
sea turtles, dolphins, crabs, shrimp, sea birds, squid, and dogs.

FOOD HABITS

Bull sharks are viviparous

Bull sharks are pregnant for 10 11 months
Bull sharks are born alive in freshwater

REPRODUCTION

RANGE

http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/animal-planetpresents/videos/animal-face-off-hippo-vs-bull-shark/

VIDEO

"BULL SHARK - Enchanted Learning Software." BULL SHARK Enchanted Learning Software. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2016.
"Carcharhinus Leucas." :: Florida Museum of Natural History.
N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2016.

BIBLIOGRAPHY