Bull Shark
Bull Shark
Estuary Whaler, Freshwater Whaler
Carcharhinus leucas

Description:

No interdorsal ridge. Gray to bronze body with a white belly. Upper tail lobe much longer than the lower tail lobe. Second dorsal fin is much shorter than the first dorsal fin. First dorsal fin has a very wide base, almost as wide as height. Insertion of second dorsal fin begins parallel or slightly before insertion of anal fin. Black tips on its fins. Very blunt and wide snout, length of snout (distance from mouth to tip of snout) is shorter than the mouth is wide. Very stocky body compared to other sharks.

Average Maximum Size:

335.28 cm (11ft)

Adults Distinguishing Characteristics:

Bull sharks can be distinguished from other sharks with black tips on fins, by its broad and short snout and overall body girth. The length of snout is shorter than the width of the mouth. Black tips on its anal fin will separate it from Atlantic Blacktip Shark.

Juveniles Distinguishing Characteristics:

Juveniles may be mistaken for lemon sharks but the first and second dorsal fin are nearly equal in size with lemons, while the bull has the wide first dorsal fin. Sandbar shark are another common misidenfitication for juvenile bullsharks, no interdorsal ridge is present in bullsharks.

Range:

Massachusetts to Brazil. Worldwide in warm temperate and tropical seas.

Habitat:

Can tolerate freshwater, and will enter rivers and can travel hundreds of miles inland. Primarily foudn near shore. Will enter bays and estuaries.

Notes:

Regulated Species:

Yes
Species: Carcharhinus leucas
Family: Carcharhinidae
Family Description: Requiem Shark
Mouth Type: Subterminal
Tail Type: Heterocercal
Dorsal Type: Split

Similar Species

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Spinner Shark
Spinner Shark
Blacktip Shark
Blacktip Shark
Sandbar Shark
Sandbar Shark
Dusky Shark
Dusky Shark