Last year a group of biologists netted an adult in Cottonwood Lake, a shallow body of water more than 30 miles off the Yellow Medicine River in Minnesota. Films like Jaws have conditioned us to see sharks as the ultimate ocean predatorsman-eaters with an insatiable appetite for human flesh. There are just under 500 species of shark in the world and only three of these are responsible for double-digit shark attacks. It was there that two commercial fishermen in 1937 noticed that their mesh traps were consistently getting raided by a large predator. Or possibly a prank on the fisherman that found it. A couple of weeks later, a shark bit a surfer, knocking the 16-year-old off his board and gnawed a 4-inch gash in his leg. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. It is important to know how to respond to strong currents so you do not drown in the cold waters. There have been lots of unofficial shark sightings that have been reported not just in Lake Michigan, but also across all of the other great lakes. However, as with any area youre visiting, know what dangerous animals are around and how to avoid a confrontation if you come across one. Just like the Loch Ness monster in Scotland, there are now rumors circulating that these creatures have been living around the towns of the Great Lakes for hundreds of years. Many shark sightings have been credited to being hallucinations or mirages caused by the sun, or misidentification of a lake sturgeon fish, a large fish that is shark-like in appearance. Thus people may have seen this creature instead of a Bull Shark, as it does swim close to the surface. This aggressive species of shark can reach speeds of up to 25 MPH or around 40 KPH. Still, there has never been a scientifically-documented report of a bull shark being found in Lake Michigan. The fact that they stick to rivers and shallow coastal waters means they regularly come into contact with humans. However, they dont see humans as prey and oftentimes their attacks are the result of curiosity or error. The first was in Alton, Illinois, in 1937, and the second was in Missouri in 1995. But, many people that are from outside the Great Lakes region are interested to know if there are sharks in Lake Michigan. Bull sharks are connected to the Lake Michigan conspiracy because of their physiology. You can find bull sharks in coastal waters throughout the world, including the East Coast of the United States and in the Gulf of Mexico. Lake Michigan is over 2000 navigational miles from the bull sharks native habit. Some of the largest and most well-known cities include Chicago, Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Grand Rapids. While these turtles are not aggressive, they have a powerful bite and can cause serious injury if handled improperly. Hence, the chances of seeing the fins of a shark during the summer seem quite rare and improbable, as the shark would have to swim past many barriers unnoticed. They must swallow their food whole because they dont have any teeth. Are Bull Sharks Really In Lake Michigan Or The Ohio River? Often sharks will try to avoid any large changes in the waters temperature. Lake Sturgeon are a relatively rare fish naturally found in Lake Michigan. This is because the Bull Shark is one of very few species that has physiologically changing abilities. There is a documented case where a bull shark was found as far north as Alton, Illinois. Although there have been no confirmed, scientifically proven sightings of sharks in Lake Michigan, there are still people who frequently claim that they do exist in the lake. then why not take a look at What cheese does Chipotle use? Canyon Lake Texas: The Most Beautiful Place in Texas. Have you seen any dangerous creatures in or around Lake Michigan? The Bull Shark is the only species of shark that could potentially live in the Great Lakes waters. In order to understand the presence or absence of a particular species in an environment, it is essential to rely on scientific studies and verified sources. These swarms have not been described as very dangerous, as piranhas do not usually attack humans as represented in the media. Bull Sharks In The Great Lakes - Myth Or Fact? Exclusive shows & extensions. Check out this post which is one of the most popular of all time. Lake Michigan has unique characteristics that set it apart from other bodies of water. No one has reported seeing either fish in Lake Michigan though. And while Shell, the forestry service paleontologist, and others say that while theres no need for panic, inland sharks could become more common. The Vintage Tribune newsletter is a deep dive into the Chicago Tribune's archives featuring photos and stories about the people, places and events that shape the city's past, present and future. Normally, freshwater causes a dilution of salt in the sharks body, altering the salt concentration, which ruptures cells and ultimately kills the animal. A: In our business, its easier to prove something did happen rather than that it didnt and somebody made it up. Is it real? That compares to 47 shark attack bites in 2021, 36 shark attack bites in 2020 and 50 shark attack bites in 2019. At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. : Are There, 3 White Shark Cage Diving Tours In California, How Aggressive Are Bull Sharks? Shark bites this month have been reported much farther north. A lot of people have wondered whether Bull Sharks can live in the Great Lakes. From what we have discussed, the chances of a shark being in the Great Lakes is very low. (2021) Bull Sharks DOCUMENTED in Great Lakes?! Worldwide, bull sharks thrive in fresh water, according to Oceana, which said their freshwater routes of bull sharks have included the Nicaragua River in Central America and the Zambezi River in Africa. All You Need To Know. He had caught the shark in Florida a couple of years before and kept it in his freezer, he said. So, the river systems allow for bull sharks to get here, but would they stay? Some of the largest and most well-known cities include Chicago, Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Grand Rapids. Even boating or jet skiing through cyanotoxic water can cause health problems. So, if we compare bull sharks to other species of sharks, they are dangerous. The muskellunge, otherwise known as the muskie, is also a native to Lake Michigan. It is a large freshwater fish, which is very new to the Great Lakes. One of the most distinctive features is a triangle-shaped dorsal fin. Though bull sharks have been spotted in the Mississippi River, which joins Lake Michigan, they most likely do not make their way to the actual lake from the ocean because of the presence of locks and dams which make this journey tricky. Though Lake Michigan is most known for its fish, there are a few other animal species that live around its waters. However, there have been some claims about the bull sharks presence in Lake Michigan, but that can be just some fish, as there is a lot of fish in Lake Michigan. Although, its not a fish most would want to catch. Bull sharks are the most common freshwater shark and can survive in freshwater environments. Bull sharks have been found in some strange places, including Lake Pontchartrain following the disastrous Hurricane Katrina. They are also aggressive, fast, and strong. In addition, the conditions in Lake Michigan are not ideal for bull sharks, as the lake is much colder and less salty than the ocean, which could make it difficult for them to survive. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. In the future, as the earth heats up and the water temperature increases, that might change, but for now, you probably wont encounter these ferocious sharks in Lake Michigan. That doesnt mean itll never happen, though. Hence, these reports of a Bull Shark, may be instead people seeing a Lake Sturgeon who has a similar appearance to a shark. shark jawbone found in the Mississippi River, fisherman caught a juvenile bull shark on the Missouri River, new bull shark nursery near North Carolina. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. Their kidneys function a bit differently and they have special glands in their tails that allow them to keep salt in their bodies even when they are in freshwater. Its a pretty varied diet, although bony fishes are the bull sharks primary source of food. One of Lake Michigans most potentially dangerous animals is the sea lamprey. Unfortunately, a high number of people drown at Lake Michigan every year because of the harsh water currents. By attacking various fish species in the lake, it can cause a major decrease in local populations. Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers that love to score the best site! Though the largest wave to be recently recorded was 23 ft (7.1 m), which occurred in September 2011, the largest wave ever from Lake Michigan to actually strike the coast of Michigan was around 10 ft (3 m). Nevertheless, a bull shark can live for a time in freshwater before ultimately perishing if it does not return to saltwater. 2019 Copyright lakemichigansharkfree.com. The Bull Shark could probably be the only shark to live in the Great Lakes due to its ability to recycle salt through its kidneys and its ability to survive in freshwater environments, but the water temperature does not allow it so. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. While the possibility of bull sharks in Lake Michigan may be intriguing, it is essential to base our understanding of the natural world on evidence and facts rather than rumors or unverified reports. So far this year, there have been 28 shark attack bites in U.S. coastal waters, none of them fatal, in Florida (16), New York (6), California (2) and South Carolina (2), according to a database on the Tracking Sharks website. Are There Any Other Fish In Lake Michigan? Although bull sharks are considered to be one of the most dangerous sharks in the world, they are also breathtaking creatures that are a sight to behold. They will eat almost anything and they have a particular fondness for fish. Brackish waters are waters that are a combination of freshwater and saltwater. But there are a lot of suspect reportsthat could have easily been hoaxed or have an alternative explanation. Do Bright Colors Attract Sharks? They are a threatened species, but theres still enough of them not to cause concern and these creatures will be around for some time to come! More about how we earn money as an affiliate. Bull sharks are a species of shark that can be found all over the world. Discover our four plan options. There is believed to be one species of the shark that is able to survive in the Great Lakes. At least two sharks have been sighted in the Mississippi River over the past century, Feldheim told AccuWeather national weather reporter Emmy Victor. The algal organisms bloom rapidly reproduce when the water contains a large amount of their favorite nutrients, the temperature becomes warm, and the water has low movement. While studying economics at Fergusson College, Pune, India, she got more opportunities to learn details of content creation. Swimming in Lake Michigan is not dangerous because of the aquatic animals that live in the lake, instead it is the water currents that can drag people deep into the lake. When it comes to Bull Sharks, it is known that they hunt for quite large prey. Once theyve found a home, theyre difficult to remove. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents. Another animal that can be dangerous to humans is the common snapping turtle.
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