Let’s learn about Central Florida’s Local -BULL SHARKS
Learn about Central Florida’s Local -BULL SHARKS
Jaws was based on a bull shark not a great white
We are all familiar with the eerie soundtrack that has become synonymous with JAWS. I bet the song started playing in your head the moment you saw the word shark. Several bull shark attacks in New Jersey were credited for the inspiration for the movie Jaws. The same sharks found all around central Florida– the bull shark.
Bull sharks tend to prefer the warmer shallow waters. They are one of the few sharks that can travel through the salty ocean to the brackish waters. Which is a mixture of salt and freshwater. They have even made their way to fresh water.
Where babies come from.
The Indian River Lagoon is a known bull shark nursery. The pregnant females will move to an estuary to give birth. They do this since their young are not accustomed to the salinity of the ocean yet. They can give birth to between 1-18 pups that are born swimming.
The mothers don’t stick around to raise the young. After giving birth in the shallow estuaries they will return to the saltier waters of the sea. The pups will stay in the fresher water until they are old enough to handle the salinity of the ocean. Which can be up to 9 years old.
Gators and central Florida bull sharks have been seen swimming alongside each other in the brackish waters of the Indian River Lagoon. Also in The Everglades. and they can cross paths when hunting and each can hold their own against the other.
Bull sharks are one of the more aggressive breeds of sharks. They are known for their signature “bump before bite” head butt.
Come join us at CRUISE COCOA and let our captains share our local knowledge.