A Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) swims past a diver, displaying its white underside. (00020990)

Description: Together with the Tiger Shark and the White Shark, the Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) belongs to the group of “dangerous sharks“. It prefers shallow waters near the coast and in river estuaries. The underwater visibility in these areas is often limited due to sand whirls, even with low swell. In estuaries, where fresh and salt water mix, the visibility is always poor. During my three-year stay in Richards Bay/Zululand/Natal, I heard about numerous accidents involving the Zambezi Shark, as the Bull Shark is known in that region. One unique feature of the Bull Shark is its ability to thrive in fresh water. In Africa, Central America, and South America, it can be found far inland in lakes and rivers (Zambezi, Mississippi, Amazon, Nicaragua, and Lake Ysabel). The Bull Shark is a robust heavyweight (reaching lengths of up to 3.5 meters and weighing over 200 kilograms) and inhabits tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. Known for its low flight distance, the Bull Shark approaches divers confidently. Their diet includes mollusks, rays, crustaceans, bony fish, and even other sharks.

Location: Vitu Levu, Beqa Lagoon, , Fiji

Date of Capture: 14.08.2009