Bull Shark Predators: What Eats a Bull Shark?

Written by Colby Maxwell
Updated: January 24, 2023
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Bull sharks are among the ocean’s apex predators. Currently, bull sharks hold the number 3 spot for most shark attacks on humans, only behind the great white and the tiger shark. Although these sharks are scary, attacks are actually quite rare. Even still, despite how scary a bull shark can be, there are animals in the ocean that regularly prey on these predators. Today, let’s take a look and discover bull shark predators: what eats a bull shark?

What is a bull shark?

Bull Shark Predators: What Eats a Bull Shark?

The bull shark is one of the most aggressive species of shark in the ocean.

©Stefan Pircher/Shutterstock.com

Bull sharks are one of the most widespread and aggressive species of shark in the entire world. Known as a “requiem” shark, these fish live in most warm coastal waters worldwide. Even more, the bull shark is famous for its brackish and freshwater tolerance, often living in river systems hundreds of miles inland.

These sharks get their name from their short, stocky heads and their tendency to bump into things before fully attacking. Additionally, many attribute their name to their aggressive nature when compared to other species of shark. It is well-known to be unpredictable and more aggressive, giving it a reputation to match its name.

Although bull sharks are among the larger sharks in the ocean, they aren’t the largest. They generally weigh 200-500 lbs and reach lengths of 11 feet. With their size and aggressive nature, bull sharks are known to prey on a variety of creatures, including other sharks. Incredibly, however, there are still creatures in the ocean that can prey on these sharks themselves, turning the hunter into the hunted. Let’s find out more about them.

What do bull sharks eat?

Bull shark among a school of fish in Fiji.

Bull sharks are opportunistic predators.

©chatchai kusolsinchai/Shutterstock.com

Although there are a few creatures that prey on bull sharks, bull sharks have a much wider range of prey they feed on themselves. The most common foods for bull sharks are bony fish, other small sharks, and stingrays. Additionally, they will eat turtles, birds, dolphins, and anything else they can find.

Do bull sharks have predators?

Despite being one of the most prolific hunters in the ocean, bull sharks still have predators. Generally, adult bull sharks aren’t at much risk for predation from anything in the ocean. The most dangerous time for bull sharks is when they are still juveniles.

A complete list of bull shark predators

Here is a complete list of predators that could kill a bull shark:

  • Humans (adult and juvenile sharks)
  • Tiger sharks (juvenile sharks)
  • Sandbar sharks (juvenile sharks)
  • Bull sharks (juvenile sharks)
  • Saltwater crocodiles (adult and juvenile sharks)
  • Large predatory fish (juvenile sharks)

Sharks

Bull Shark Predators: What Eats a Bull Shark?

Tiger

sharks eat young bull shark pups.

©HQuality/Shutterstock.com

The most common predator for juvenile bull sharks is other sharks. Sharks are extremely opportunistic feeders and don’t mind eating a member of their kind, especially if they are small enough. When a bull shark is born, they are generally less than 3 feet long, which is prime prey for other sharks. The most common species of shark to prey on small bull sharks are tiger sharks, sandbar sharks, and other bull sharks. Cannibalism happens somewhat frequently with sharks.

Crocodiles

Bull Shark Predators: What Eats a Bull Shark?
Saltwater crocodiles are known to prey on bull sharks.

Reports of crocodiles attacking and killing bull sharks are rare, but they are well-documented when they do happen. The most common crocodile species to kill bull sharks is the saltwater crocodile, the largest of all crocodilians in the world. Saltwater crocodiles often swim in brackish water and around coastal ocean regions, sharing a habitat with the bull shark. Adult saltwater crocodiles regularly reach between 2,200 and 2,900 lbs and measure up to 20 feet long. There have been videos and photos of saltwater crocodiles feeding on bull sharks, although the sharks are usually quite small. Still, it’s very possible that these two could meet at their adult sizes and have an epic showdown.

Humans

Bull Shark Predators: What Eats a Bull Shark?

Humans are the bull shark’s most dangerous predator.

©Manivannan T/Shutterstock.com

As a general rule, humans are the top predators on the planet. Although a lone human in the water isn’t a real threat to a bull shark, the systems and technology we have in place often result in the death of bull sharks, even adult ones. In fact, humans are probably the only creatures that regularly kill adult bull sharks, whether it’s by accident or on purpose. Accidental killings of bull sharks usually occur as fishing bycatch or errors, while the intentional killing of bull sharks happens mostly from fishermen looking to score trophies and get food.

On average, sharks (all sharks) kill around six people per year. On the contrary, humans kill tens of millions of sharks each year, hardly a fair comparison.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Martin Prochazkacz/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Colby is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering outdoors, unique animal stories, and science news. Colby has been writing about science news and animals for five years and holds a bachelor's degree from SEU. A resident of NYC, you can find him camping, exploring, and telling everyone about what birds he saw at his local birdfeeder.

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