Bull Shark Research Paper

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Pages: 2

I will be writing about a species of shark called Bull shark. It is commonly found in warm shallow waters along the coast and rivers; bull sharks are known for being aggressive. They can also live in both saltwater and fresh water. Bull sharks have developed special adaptations, such as the way their kidneys function and special glands near their tail that help keep salt in their bodies even when they’re in freshwater. Females can't give birth until the ripe old age of 10 years old, which would be about 50 years old in human terms based on an 80-year lifespan. Mating generally happens in the summer, and their free-swimming pups are born the following April to June. The pups are only a couple of feet long at birth, and their chances of surviving the dangerous ocean waters are slim. For this reason, the expectant mother often travels to the safer freshwaters to give birth and nurse her pups. …show more content…
In the United States, they are found off the East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. Unlike most sharks, bull sharks can survive in freshwater for long periods of time. The bull shark is not a picky eater. Sharks eat mostly fish, but can also eat other shark species, marine mammals, birds, and turtles. Although rare, bull sharks have also been recorded eating other bull sharks. Adult sharks tend to hunt by themselves. Bull sharks have these glands called rectal glands located near their cloaca (the opening used for reproduction and waste elimination). This helps prevent dehydration in fresh water and excessive salt intake in the