What is the lifespan of a bull shark?
A bull shark’s size at birth is about 29 inches. Females grow larger than males, averaging 7.8 feet and weighing around 285 pounds. Male bull sharks average 7.3 feet and weigh about 209 pounds. Females live for about 16 years, compared to 12 years for males. The largest reported bull shark was 11.5 feet, weighing over 500 pounds. Bull sharks grow about 11 inches per year in the first years of life, and then slow to about 5.5 inches per year after 4 years of age. Age of maturity varies by geographic location. Bull sharks are viviparous (live bearing) and give birth litters of 1 to 13 pups. Gestation lasts 10 to 11 months.
