Page 14 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Sharks & Ocean Predators
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Bull shark

The deadliest

shark alive

With the ability to invade fresh water as well as the
ocean, bull sharks have evolved to handle environments
that other sharks cannot. It gets its name from its
strength, stockiness and ferocious reputation. This
species has been spotted 4,000 kilometres (2,485
miles) up the Amazon river, as well as in rivers across
the globe. Its kidneys have evolved to process both salt
and fresh water to give it more water to explore.
It is well documented that bull sharks have eaten
other members of their own species, along with smaller
sharks and bony fishes. They swim slowly along the

seabed, stalking their target before launching toward
it with its jaws wide open. Its teeth are heavily serrated
and tear through flesh with ease. The small eyes

indicate the fish relies more on electro-reception than
its vision and therefore might be more likely to attack
an unfamiliar animal. Many attacks on humans have
been reported, with one expert suffering a bite during
a television interview.
Though they aren’t the biggest, these sharks can
pop up in almost any body of water and attack
anything that’s swimming. They have a big appetite
and don’t share the great white’s particular taste when
it comes to what they eat.

“ Many attacks on humans have been

reported, with one expert suffering a
bite during a television interview”

Megalodon myth

Though long extinct, reports of megalodon
sightings keep the world guessing
Don’t be fooled by altered
photographs or misleading
footage. The largest shark
Megalodon
that ever lived is extinct and
has never been seen alive
by human eyes. Measuring
up to 18 metres (59 feet),
the shark’s size has been
determined by its large
teeth and rare fossilised “The largest
sections of the shark’s spine.
If the giant shark still Whale shark shark that ever
© Frank Lane Picture Agency; Alamy; Thinkstock large animals like whales Great white shark been seen alive
existed it would need a
lived is extinct
healthy supply of extremely
and has never
to survive. However,
It is thought that the
megalodon’s extinction
allowed the evolution of
large filter-feeding whales. If

the megalodon still existed,
whales probably would not.
20m (65.6ft) by human eyes”
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