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HOW DID BULL SHARKS GET THEIR NAME? Bull sharks got their name for two reasons. With their aggressive nature, you might think that they got the name from their tendency to “bully,” or attack other animals, but this is not the case. First, their

short, blunt snout is like that of a bull’s flat face. Secondly, their combative, quick- to-fight nature is like that of an aggressive bull as well. In some areas of the world, bull sharks have different names. In Africa, bull sharks are known as the Zambezi or Zambi shark. In Nicaragua, bull sharks are known as the Lake Nicaragua shark. Bull sharks are excellent hunters and have even been known to attack land animals that wade in shallow water. They have attacked and killed dogs and sea birds—even hippopotamuses! Bull sharks are opportunistic eaters, which means that they eat whenever the opportunity presents itself. When bull sharks are hungry, they will attack anything that gets in their path, regardless of whether or not it’s part of their typical diet of bony fish. It’s hard to say if bull sharks attack people on purpose. It seems that humans are not the preferred food of bull sharks, but if they are hungry, they will eat whatever they can find. SIDEBAR

Bull sharks are very diverse and can survive in both salt and fresh water.

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