Species profile
Bull Shark
Carcharhinus leucas
Identify Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 4 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is an IUCN Vulnerable shark or ray regulated in 5 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Bag limits are uniform at 1 per angler across the 5 regulating jurisdictions.
Across 4 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 54.0 in (≈ 4 ft 6 in).
Confirmed by 356 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, Texas, and Alabama the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Listed under CITES — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Notable details
- One of the few sharks capable of surviving in both saltwater and freshwater.
- Bull sharks have been found over 2,500 miles up the Amazon River.
- Females can reach 11 feet in length and weigh over 500 pounds.
- They give birth to 1–13 pups after a 10–11 month gestation period.
- Responsible for more unprovoked attacks on humans than almost any other shark species.
Where Bull Shark are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Bull Shark
Protected status
- CITES Appendix II (Carcharhinidae — all requiem sharks, CoP19 effective Nov 2023).
Always verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Background
The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas), also known as the Zambezi shark or, unofficially, as Zambi in Africa and Lake Nicaragua shark in Nicaragua, is a requiem shark commonly found worldwide in warm, shallow waters along coasts and in rivers. The bull shark is known for its aggressive nature, predilection for warm shallow water, and presence in brackish and freshwater systems including estuaries…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Bull Shark article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other sharks & rays on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Bull Shark?
Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is an IUCN Vulnerable shark or ray regulated in 5 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Bull Shark?
Bull Shark is Carcharhinus leucas.
Is Bull Shark regulated for fishing?
Yes — Bull Shark has fishing regulations in 4 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Bull Shark?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Bull Shark along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.