Great Whites and Bull Sharks are two of the most fearsome fish on earth. These large, powerful hunters are at the top of the food chain, and they know it. But what’s the difference between them? How do you recognize Bull Sharks vs. Great White Sharks? Where do they live? And most importantly, which one’s more dangerous?
Bull Shark vs. Great White Identification
The easiest way to tell Bulls and Great Whites apart is by their sheer size. Bull Sharks generally don’t grow longer than 8 feet, and max out around the 11-12’ mark. Great Whites are much, much bigger. They can grow to 20 feet easily, and may hit 25 feet or more, although there are no documented sightings of these monsters.
That’s fine for adults, but what if you find a small White Shark? The biggest giveaway is their body color. Bull Sharks are light gray or brown on top, fading to a whitish belly. Great Whites have a much more obvious color change. They have a dark gray back that can seem almost black, and the color switches sharply and clearly to white underneath.
Another good way to identify a Bull Shark vs. a Great White is their tail. Bulls have very long top tailfins. Great White tails are pretty symmetrical and not as long compared to the rest of their body. This helps when telling them apart from out of the water: Bulls seem to be all tail with a very fat, stubby body. Great Whites are more evenly-proportioned.
Great White and Bull Shark Habitat
The truth is, you won’t normally need to guess whether you’re looking at a Bull or a White. Why? Because they live in completely different places.
Great White Sharks are the kings of the high seas. They regularly cross entire oceans on the hunt for food. They can sometimes come closer to land, and even show up in the surf (Jaws, anyone?) but you’re much more likely to find them in deep water.
Bull Sharks are the opposite: they’re much more at home in the shallows. Beachfronts and bays are their stomping grounds, and they don’t stop there. Bulls are specially adapted to exploring freshwater. People have found them thousands of miles up the Amazon, and there are even reports of catches in the Mississippi River as far north as Illinois.
Bulls and Whites: Which Is More Dangerous
Along with Tigers, Bulls and Great Whites have racked up the highest reported body count of all Shark species. This has secured them Hollywood stardom, but it’s given them a lot bad press along the way. The question many of you are probably asking is, “Which one’s more dangerous?”
In a straight comparison, Great Whites win hands down. They’re bigger, stronger, faster. Put the two in a fight, and there’s no question which one would win. However, Bull Sharks live much closer to humans. They’re also more aggressive, so the chances of a run-in are higher.
On top of that, scientists believe that many Great White attacks are a case of mistaken identity. They often happened in warm, tropical waters, where Great Whites are uncommon. Chances are, a lot of them were actually Tigers or Bulls. People see a huge Shark swimming their way and the first thing they think is “Great White!”
Here’s the thing, though, Sharks in general just aren’t that dangerous. Sure, they’re apex predators, but the odds of one attacking you are pretty slim. You’re around 75 times more likely to be struck by lightning. In fact, there are probably a dozen things in your home more deadly than Sharks.
Bull Sharks and Great White Sharks are both incredible creatures. They’re fierce hunters, marathon travelers, and a vital part of the ocean’s ecosystems. Hopefully, you now know a little more about what makes them special. If nothing else, you’ve developed a healthy mistrust of everyday household objects.
Take a look at more Shark-themed fun and read our previous posts here.
