Sharks are classified as apex predators that provide important functions to the stability of the marine ecosystem (Daly, et al., 2013). According to the NOAA (n.d) sharks have adaptations that allow them to be apex predators, these include: having sensitive smell receptors, electroreceptors that detect electrical fields due to the presence of prey, teeth that are replaced throughout their life, lateral line receptors that sense movement in water and eyes that adapt quickly to low light levels.
Bull sharks, Carcharhinus leucas (Müller and Henle, 1839) get their name from their short, blunt snout, as well as their pugnacious disposition and a tendency to head-butt their prey before attacking (National Geographic, n.d.).Other names include: River whaler, freshwater whaler, Swan River whaler, Zambezi shark (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, 2013). They are one of the top three sharks implicated in unprovoked fatal attacks throughout the world ( NOAA, n.d). Bull sharks are cartilaginous fish in the subclass Elasmobranchii, which includes sharks, rays, and skates.
Identifying features
The Bull shark have relatively small eyes, indicating that vision is not the most important sense required for hunting in its frequently turbid habit (ARKive, 2013) and black markings on the underside of the pectoral fins. The first dorsal fin is broad and slightly curved at the tip and the anal fin notch forms an obtuse angle.
Taxonomy
Species: leucas
Genus: Carcharhinus
Family: Charcharhinidae
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Phylum: Chordata
Kingdom: Animalia
Bull sharks are large and stout, with females being larger than males. They have a short, blunt and broadly rounded snout ( figure 2a). Their teeth as shown in (figure 2b) shows the upper teeth of the bull shark, as they are broadly triangular and serrated. Adult female bull sharks average 2.4 m (7.9 ft) long and typically weigh 130 kg (290 lb), whereas the slightly smaller adult male averages 2.25 m (7.4 ft) and 95 kg (210 lb). While a maximum size of 3.5 m (11 ft) is commonly reported, there is a questionable record of a female specimen of exactly 4 m (13 ft). The maximum recorded weight of a bull shark was 315 kg (690 lb) (EOL, n.d).
Bull sharks, Carcharhinus leucas (Müller and Henle, 1839) get their name from their short, blunt snout, as well as their pugnacious disposition and a tendency to head-butt their prey before attacking (National Geographic, n.d.).Other names include: River whaler, freshwater whaler, Swan River whaler, Zambezi shark (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, 2013). They are one of the top three sharks implicated in unprovoked fatal attacks throughout the world ( NOAA, n.d). Bull sharks are cartilaginous fish in the subclass Elasmobranchii, which includes sharks, rays, and skates.
Identifying features
The Bull shark have relatively small eyes, indicating that vision is not the most important sense required for hunting in its frequently turbid habit (ARKive, 2013) and black markings on the underside of the pectoral fins. The first dorsal fin is broad and slightly curved at the tip and the anal fin notch forms an obtuse angle.
Taxonomy
Species: leucas
Genus: Carcharhinus
Family: Charcharhinidae
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Phylum: Chordata
Kingdom: Animalia
Bull sharks are large and stout, with females being larger than males. They have a short, blunt and broadly rounded snout ( figure 2a). Their teeth as shown in (figure 2b) shows the upper teeth of the bull shark, as they are broadly triangular and serrated. Adult female bull sharks average 2.4 m (7.9 ft) long and typically weigh 130 kg (290 lb), whereas the slightly smaller adult male averages 2.25 m (7.4 ft) and 95 kg (210 lb). While a maximum size of 3.5 m (11 ft) is commonly reported, there is a questionable record of a female specimen of exactly 4 m (13 ft). The maximum recorded weight of a bull shark was 315 kg (690 lb) (EOL, n.d).