Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas)
Assertive and adaptable, the bull shark moves with quiet certainty through both salt and fresh water. Its presence near river mouths and coastal shallows reminds us that the boundary between worlds — ocean and land — is never as fixed as it seems.
Scientific Snapshot
Scientific Name: Carcharhinus leucas
Common Names: Bull shark, Zambezi shark, Nicaragua shark
Average Size: Typically 2.4 to 3.3 meters (8–11 feet)
Habitat: Coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers; tolerates both salt and freshwater
Diet: Fish, rays, smaller sharks, and occasionally crustaceans or birds
Conservation Status: Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)
Range: Tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, often near shorelines and river systems
From the Field
The story…