Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Carcharhinus leucas
- Common name
- Bull Shark
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Carcharhinidae
- Genus
- Carcharhinus
- Size
- 200–340 cm
- Depth
- 0–80 m
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, sandy-bottom, open-water
- Behaviours
- pelagic, benthic
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Carcharhinus leucas reaches 3.4 m. Bull shark, gray-blue dorsal, white ventral. Pantropical coastal distribution (including East Pacific, Galapagos). Euryhaline, tolerates freshwater and brackish water. Pelagic-benthic cruiser, omnivorous diet. Aggressive when threatened. Overfishing threatened (IUCN VU). Occasionally seen at Galapagos, dangerous for divers.
Photo of Bull Shark
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Bull Shark?
- Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) reaches 200–340 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Bull Shark?
- Bull Shark is found between 0–80 m deep.
- Is the Bull Shark dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Bull Shark?
- IUCN status: Vulnerable (VU).
- Where can you find the Bull Shark?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Carcharhinus
- Carcharhinus melanopterus - Blacktip reef shark
- Carcharhinus perezi - Caribbean reef shark
- Carcharhinus falciformis - Silky shark
- Carcharhinus obscurus - Dusky shark
- Carcharhinus longimanus - Oceanic whitetip shark
- Carcharhinus galapagensis - Galapagos shark
Other species in the family Carcharhinidae
- Prionace glauca - Blue shark
- Triaenodon obesus - Whitetip reef shark
- Negaprion brevirostris - Lemon shark
- Negaprion acutidens - Sicklefin lemon shark
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 105792)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2418036)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia