Jace Lamonica
The Mississippi River has its share of surprises, but few are as shocking as this. Lurking beneath its muddy waters isn’t just catfish or bass, but a predator usually found in the ocean. The bull shark has made its way inland, and it’s rewriting all the rules. Read on before your next riverside adventure surprises you.
Meet The Bull Shark
The bull shark is one of the few shark species that regularly enter freshwater. It gets its name due to its heavy build. A female bull shark can reach about 12-13 feet in length! These are gray in color with white bellies. Unlike most sharks, it doesn’t need to stay in the ocean. Bull sharks have been found deep in rivers like the Mississippi, making them unique among large predatory fish.
Spotting One Is Not That Common
Bull shark sightings in rivers are unusual but confirmed. So, these aren’t rumors or legends. Scientists have documented the species far inland using physical catches, tracking devices, and reliable reports. They aren’t seen often, but their presence has been recorded enough times to establish that it does happen.
This Shark Can Survive Without Saltwater
Bull sharks have a special ability to regulate the salt levels in their bodies. Their kidneys and glands adjust to either salt or freshwater environments. This lets them stay in rivers for long periods—sometimes for months or even years—without needing to return to the sea. It’s a rare adaptation for a large shark.
It’s Been Caught Over 1,000 Miles From The Sea
In 1937, two fishermen near Alton, Illinois, caught a bull shark in the Mississippi River . That’s over a thousand miles from the Gulf of Mexico. The catch was confirmed and documented, proving that bull sharks are capable of swimming extreme distances upstream in freshwater environments far from the coast.
It Looks Like A Torpedo And Acts Like An Ambush Hunter
The bull shark’s body is thick and short, built more for bursts of speed than long-distance cruising. It uses this to ambush prey in shallow or murky water. By staying low and still, it can close in quickly when a fish passes nearby. This method is well-suited to tight, cluttered river systems.
They Have Poor Eyesight But Still Hunt Well
Bull sharks aren’t built for clear, blue water. In rivers, where the water is often muddy, their smaller eyes do not help much. Due to this, they often focus on areas with abundant prey. The sharks rely on detecting vibrations and low-frequency sounds, which makes them efficient hunters in low-visibility areas. Here, they track the movement of fish using sensory organs along their snouts.
It Hunts The Same Fish You Might Catch On A River Trip
Bull sharks eat a wide variety of fish that are also popular with anglers. In American rivers, their diet includes catfish, bass, and mullet. They’re opportunistic feeders and will eat what’s available. This overlap with familiar species helps explain how they adapt to life so far from the ocean.
They Can Appear In Rivers Around The World
These sharks don’t just show up in the Mississippi. They’ve also been recorded in the Amazon, the Ganges, and the Zambezi. In some places, they travel hundreds of miles upstream. Their ability to tolerate low salinity allows them to move inland on several continents, wherever river access connects to the sea.
It Can Be Dangerous To Humans In Rare Cases
Since it’s been found in rivers, here’s the question: Will a bull shark prey on humans? Yes, they are linked to human attacks, though incidents in rivers are extremely rare. Bull sharks are large and territorial, and they sometimes feed in shallow waters. Still, the average person is unlikely to encounter one, especially in inland areas. Most bull sharks avoid populated spots when possible.
Scientists Are Still Learning How Far They Can Go
Researchers continue to study bull sharks to better understand how they behave in freshwater. Tracking devices have shown their ability to travel long distances upriver, but there’s a lot more to learn about how far they go and how long they stay. New studies are focused on their biology and movement patterns.
