Shark Specialist | Author | Science Communication Writer | MSc Evolution, Biodiversity & Conservation
Bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) are a potentially dangerous species of shark to be in the water with. Their common name not only refers to their stout appearance, but was also given to describe their nature, as bull sharks can be potentially aggressive. However, as you can see from this footage, if you are well-trained and take precautions, bull sharks can be a delight to see in the wild. Whilst they can be seen worldwide in warm, shallow coastal waters, bull sharks can also be found in some surprising places…. Their ability to tolerate a broad range of salinities (aka “euryhaline”) – from salty oceanic waters, to brackish estuaries and even fresh water – means they can also also be found far inland in rivers and lakes, where they sometimes surprise swimmers. Bull sharks are easy to identify, as they are broader and stockier than many of their close relatives, and have a small, broad, flat snout. They do not have an interdorsal ridge and their second dorsal fin is smaller then the first. One of the largest of all the requiem sharks, bull sharks reach sizes up to 4 metres from nose to tail. The females reach larger sizes than the males, as this species is “viviparous” (live bearing), and the female must gestate a litter of up to thirteen pups for around 12 months before giving birth in shallow, coastal lagoons.
By nature they’re extremely unpredictable due to their territorial nature. Almost identical to Galapagos Sharks in the Pacific.
So where are the pros?
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2moI was a commercial diver. Dove all around the World from Niihau to Cat Island and Easter Island on Cousteau’s MKII. I’ve been viciously attacked 3x where my life was in danger. All by Galapagos Sharks. One year I logged on over 1K underwater hours. I purchased a pallet of tanks so I could maintain my activities on my 2 boats. Never been assaulted by Greys, Tigers or other species. Only Galapagos. Even the smaller ones were aggressive. A Galapagos even attacked my dive boat when I boarded it. Hit it so hard I fell down. I can honestly say any species can be aggressive if provoked. But the Galapagos is nasty by nature. My partners that I used to dive commercially with all said the same from 5-12ft. That 12ft has scars from being speared so it’s not just me. Kinda makes Bulls look like puppies. I’ve pushed them away at night only but that’s it. Most act aggressive if they’re hungry, if you’re in their territory or have speared fish. But when a certain species just attacks you for no reason, and then smash into your boat for leaving it alone, that’s an aggressive species. Mostly the smaller 5-7 footers but the big ones are really a problem.