Animal Guide

Bull Shark

1 destination · 1 state

Native Range: Coastal tropical and subtropical waters worldwide

Bull sharks have the sturdy build and steady, purposeful swimming style people expect from a large shark, but there is a twist that makes them especially worth watching. Unlike most sharks, they can tolerate freshwater and sometimes travel surprisingly far up rivers. In an aquarium, notice the broad, blunt snout and thick body as the shark cruises past the viewing glass. It rarely needs frantic movement. A few sweeps of the tail carry it smoothly through the water, often following a regular route around a large tank. Bull sharks are active predators with powerful jaws, yet much of their time is spent conserving energy rather than constantly chasing prey. Their ability to move between saltwater and freshwater sets them apart from other large sharks and helps explain why they naturally occur around coastlines, estuaries and river mouths. Watch one make a close pass and its compact, muscular shape becomes much easier to appreciate.

Where to see Bull Shark

1 destination across 1 state

1 destination

Oklahoma Aquarium

Jenks, OK

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