Bull Sharks The Dangerous in Water November 2015
Sharks around the world RiverMonsters are here Central America $3.99 USD
TABLE OF CONTENTS THIS MONTH… human attack opens the public eyes to a large monster living in the water in Nicaragua. A 500 pound killer!
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Name and General Characteristics - slide 3 & 4 Energy Transfer - slide 5 Ecology - slide 7 & 8 Evolution - slide 9 Fun Facts - slide 11 Resources - slide 13
What is this killer monster in the open water? The Bull Shark also known as Carcharhinus leucas and is part of the Carcharhinidae family. This shark can live up to 16 years and grow to be 11.5 feet, weighing over 500 pounds. They are known to be one of the most dangerous sharks in the world. They are a very aggressive species of shark, and they tend to hunt in waters where people often swim, along tropical shorelines.
Importance to Humans The bull shark is regularly captured on bottom longline gear. The meat is either used for fish meal or sold in local markets for human consumption. The fins are sold to Asia for shark fin soup. The hide is good quality for leather. This shark is a popular game fish in the southeastern U.S. and South Africa.
Cycling of Nutrients in the Open Waters
The rounded snout killer, THE Bull Shark
WHERE DOES THIS BEAST LIVE? Bull Sharks are found in tropical to subtropical coastal waters worldwide as well as in numerous river systems and some freshwater lakes. They have been reported up the Amazon River in Peru, and over up the Mississippi River in Illinois. A population in Lake Nicaragua was once thought to be landlocked, but they gain access to the ocean through rivers. In the western Atlantic bull sharks migrate north along the coast of the U.S. during the summer then return to tropical climates when the coastal waters cool.
What is on the lunch menu today? Bull Sharks will eat almost anything, but their diet consists mainly of fish. Humans are not part of the bull shark’s normal prey but they are known to be the one of most dangerous sharks in the world when it comes to attacks on humans. They migrate to follow the source of food but if it is plentiful they will remain in a certain area. Occasionally they have been known to be eaten by tiger sharks and even great white sharks.
Evolution of the Bull Shark Unlike most sharks, Bull Sharks can live in FRESHwater and SALTwater. Sharks must keep salt in their bodies to survive, and most can only live in saltwater. Bull Sharks have developed special adaptations - the way their kidneys function and special glands near their tails help them keep salt in their bodies even when they’re in freshwater. It can spend long periods of time in freshwater environments. There is evidence that they can breed in freshwater, but not as regularly as they do in marine habitats. When reproduced, they can have 1-13 pups per litter.
Did you know? A Spring Branch man caught an 8 feet 8 inch-long bull shark on the coast of Padre Island on October 17, 2015! Just last month! The fisherman fought for 45 minutes before bringing the shark to shore. The shark was released back into the wild waters of Padre Island.
Magazine Index (Resources) www.flmnh.ufl.edu www.sharks-world.com www.nwf.org. www.texasfbt.com