Bull Shark: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Shark Week · day 4 of 7

Five facts

1. Bull sharks have turned up as far up the Mississippi as Alton, Illinois, about 1,100 km from the ocean.
2. A bull shark can bite with up to 5,914 newtons of force. For its weight, that is the strongest bite of any shark or ray tested.
3. More than 500 bull sharks are thought to live in Australia's Brisbane River. One was reportedly seen in flooded city streets in 2010-2011.
4. Female bull sharks are bigger than males: about 2.4 m and 130 kg on average, against 2.25 m and 95 kg.
5. Bull sharks swim far up rivers, but in experiments, those kept only in fresh water died within four years.

The quiz

1. How far from the ocean have bull sharks been found up the Mississippi?

• About 100 km
• About 1,100 km (correct)
• About 300 km
• About 3,000 km

They have reached Alton, Illinois, about 1,100 km from the ocean.

2. How much force can a bull shark's bite reach?

• Up to 12,000 newtons
• Up to 600 newtons
• Up to 5,914 newtons (correct)
• Up to 2,000 newtons

A bite can generate up to 5,914 newtons of force.

3. In which river are more than 500 bull sharks thought to live?

• The Brisbane River (correct)
• The Thames
• The Seine
• The Rhine

More than 500 bull sharks are thought to inhabit the Brisbane River.

4. Which bull sharks are bigger on average?

• Males, about 130 kg
• Neither, they are the same size
• Males, about 200 kg
• Females, about 130 kg (correct)

Females average 2.4 m and 130 kg against 2.25 m and 95 kg for males.

5. In experiments, what happened to bull sharks kept only in fresh water?

• They lived normally for decades
• They grew twice as big
• They died within four years (correct)
• They became a new species

In experiments, bull sharks kept only in fresh water died within four years.

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