Sharks in freshwater

[ravenmore]

Hey guys,

Slate had a commentary today about bull sharks. Kind of an interesting read buy I'm wondering about the accuracy of it. They indicated that bull sharks have been know to swim into fresh water.

Here's a link to the article:

http://slate.msn.com/Gist/01-07-17/Gist.asp

and here's the passage I found interesting:

They are the only shark, and one of the few creatures of any kind, that can live in either salt or fresh water. Though they normally prefer tropical and subtropical seas, bull sharks have been found in the Mississippi River above New Orleans and have attacked bathers in the Ganges and the Amazon. Lake Nicaragua was thought to have a unique species of freshwater shark until it was discovered that the beasts were bull sharks swimming upstream from the Caribbean, braving the rapids on the San Juan river like salmon coming home to spawn. Many researchers think a bull was the legendary "Jersey man-eater," the shark that killed several swimmers in Mattawan Creek in 1916 and inspired Peter Benchley to write Jaws.

-Mike

[BTL]

I have read this also.

[chromis]

Seemed pretty accurate to me, bull sharks are known to swim in fresh water. I was reading about the bull sharks in Nicaragua and it seemed that it was extremely dangerous to swim in the lake. Same w/ ganges river, that must be one tough a$$ shark to swim in the ganges. Before canal locks there were reports of bull sharks WAY up the misssissippi. There are lots of names for bull sharks, Ganges river shark, lake nicaraguan shark. I am interested if the "bull shark" people keep refering to is carcharhinus leucas or eugomphobus taurus. Both are bull sharks.

Andrew

[PerryinCA]

True...there have been more than one species of shark caught in Franks Tract (sp?) in the CA Bay area delta (and its fresh, not brackish). I think I have also heard of some sort of sailfish/marlin (don't know which lives around here)??

Second could be a myth...the shark thing is confirmed though.

[schrocat]

I had never heard of the Jersey rogue shark story before...incredible!

Thanks ravenmore!
I was clicking related links on that tale for 2 hours last night.

[Biomanjcs72]

Yep, when I was in Costa Rica, the locals said they had cought bull sharks as much as a mile or so inland on the river. (rain forest, very fresh)

[ravenmore]

Yeah, this was incredible stuff. Not that I didn't believe the credibility of the story it was just such an amazing fact that I was suprised I had not come across it before.

Sounds like water quality isn't too critical for these guys. If it wasn't for their size(how does 9 feet and 500 + pounds grab ya: probably any way it wants to), they might be a good shark for hobbiest, either in salt OR freshwater aquaria.......

[ranaman]

One of the books I read and reread was SHADOWS IN THE SEA. This book gave me a sense of deja vue when I saw JAWS since it has a very good account of the NJ killer sharks. A little bit dated now but still has some neat things such as a whale shark egg case. Talk about a shark egg unsuitable for a home aquarium. The hatchling shark was about 3' long. So when I read an account that says whale sharks have live young, I wonder if the the author ever saw that specimum in some texas museum. I checked Amazon and you can buy a used copy of this book real cheap.
WHOOPS! did a websearch and found the size was 36cm not 36 inches.Still it looks like there is some fence sitting whether the eggs hatch internally or the egg cases are released just prior to hatching.

[nucleuscracker]

ironically my brother in laws girlfriend, (shark fanatic - you should see her apartment) was talking about bull sharks the other night and how they can alter their bodies to adapt to fresh water. Pretty cool....

BTW - I imagine you guys and girls have seen the "billy the bass" singing bass that is mounted - well she found a shark that is mounted that does the same thing - - its funny as hell. can't remember what it sings to but its hilarious......

[Marinefish]

Ever seen the show River Monsters? In one the guy is investigating bull sharks and catches a YOUNG BABY 50 MILES FROM THE SEA!!!!!! Not only are there sharks as far inland as Michigan, but they're BREEDING!!!!

[nucleuscracker]

wow - this a thread from the past! I've been out of to Saltwater sadly for at least 7 years now but chomping at the bit to get back in. How things have changed too.. LOL