The Bull Shark

Bull Shark in Costa Rica

The bull shark is a medium to large-sized shark belonging to the family Carcharhinidae. Costa Rica is known to have schools of bull sharks living in various areas, and can be seen by divers who like to live on the wild side. The bull shark typically possesses a massive body with a length of 7 to 12 feet. But the average size of the bull sharks is usually 9 feet. Along with their great length, bull sharks are extremely heavy. They can weigh anywhere from 90 – 230 kg. The average life span of these sharks has been reported to be about 15 years. Unlike most sharks that only inhabit warm, salt waters, bull sharks can live in both fresh and salty water. Bull sharks tend to stay in shallow waters and avoid going to the bottom of the ocean, where most sharks make their homes. They can also be found on flat stretches of beaches and lagoons. Sometimes, they also inhabit river mouths and bays, and are known to swim far up rivers, and occasional surprise attacks have been reported in freshwater rivers hundreds of miles from the ocean. Recently the sharks that inhabit Lake Nicaragua were found to actually be bull sharks that swam upriver hundreds of miles from the Atlantic ocean to feed, and then return to the ocean.

Usually, these sharks are spotted in the coastal waters of Costa Rica near rivermouths where fisherman often catch them by accident. Bull sharks are one of the most dangerous predators in the sea, known to be “aggressive”, but shark experts have suggested that they may simply be biting by accident in the murky, brackish water that they inhabit near rivers. Whatever the case, surfers worry about these sharks because rivermouths often generate the best waves. Maybe because of their massive girth, they will eat almost anything they can swallow. This includes schools of fish, dolphins, sting rays, turtles, a few unfortunate birds and even other sharks! They have a lot of variety to choose from considering the sheer range of their dietary habits.

Other Facts about Bull Sharks

Bull sharks have many different names given by the locals of whichever country they are in. But the most common all over the world is ‘bull shark’. The shark got its name for a number of reasons. The most obvious reason seems to be because of its huge body and massive weight. Often in Costa Rica and the waters of the Pacific Ocean, bull sharks can be seen coasting in the shallow waters near land. Concovado National Park in Costa Rica along with Playas del Coco have bull sharks in rich abundance because of the active sea life present in their waters. Although scientists say that bull sharks have a limited capacity of surviving in fresh waters eventually they will have to go back to the saltwater. One amazing fact about these sharks is that the salt content in their blood has to be at the same level as the salt water to function properly. Otherwise the sharks may experience weakness and general ill health. Their relationship with humans appears to be very dangerous. The reports of humans being attacked by vicious sharks often point towards bull sharks as these predators. No other sharks are found to be as dangerous to humans as this species in the Pacific.

Video for Bull Shark

Other References

http://www.costaricajourneys.com/bull-shark/