Bull sharks form specific social bonds instead of mixing randomly. That’s according to new research from more than six years at the Shark Reef Marine Reserve in Fiji. Researchers observed 184 bull sharks and discovered they actively choose companions and maintain long-term social connections. These findings challenge the common belief that sharks are solitary creatures.
The research team published its study in the peer-reviewed journal Animal Behaviour in April 2026.
Bull sharks show clear social preferences in the wild
The research showed bull sharks do not behave as solitary animals. They show distinct preferences for certain companions and deliberately choose who to associate with. Much like humans, they maintain different types of social relationships, ranging from close partners to more casual acquaintances. And, just like us, they actively avoid certain individuals. Lead author Natasha D. Marosi, an Exeter researcher and founder of Fiji Shark Lab, explained:
As humans we cultivate a range of social relationships — from casual acquaintances to our best friends — but we also actively avoid certain people — and these bull sharks are doing similar things.
Researchers from the University of Exeter, Lancaster University, Fiji Shark Lab and Beqa Adventure Divers observed the sharks over six years. They looked at broad associations and when sharks stayed close together. Plus they detailed interactions such as sharks following each other or swimming side by side. Social bonds were common among adult sharks, who also tended to associate with partners of similar size.
Age groups and their social patterns
The study revealed clear differences in social behavior depending on life stage. Juvenile bull sharks live in rivers and estuaries. During this early stage they avoid predation, which includes avoiding adult bull sharks. Sub-adult sharks, which have not yet reached sexual maturity, usually remain in near-shore areas. Some of the braver sub-adults visit the Reserve, where they form social connections with adult sharks that may help them learn skills and integrate into the social network.
Adult sharks are highly social, frequently interacting with chosen partners. In contrast, older sharks are less socially active. Having accumulated years of experience in hunting and mating, these sharks rely less on social interactions for survival. Marosi explained:
Our results show that older sharks tend to be less social. These older individuals have many years of experience honing their skill sets, hunting and mating, and sociality may not be as integral to their survival as it is for an individual in their prime.
Benefits of social behavior
Social bonds offer multiple advantages. They help sharks learn new skills, find food and mates and avoid conflicts. Professor Darren Croft from Exeter’s Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour stated:
Contrary to commonly held perceptions of sharks, our study shows they have relatively rich and complex social lives.
Both males and females preferred female companions, but males had more social links overall. Marosi said:
Male bull sharks are physically smaller than females, thus one potential benefit they may gain is by being more socially integrated; they are buffered from aggressive confrontations with larger individuals.
A female bull shark at the Shark Reef Marine Reserve in Fiji. Video via Wikipedia.
Research and conservation relevance
Long-term observation allowed researchers to track individual sharks over many years. It also helped them understand how social patterns develop and persist. David Jacoby from Lancaster University emphasized that this approach provided valuable insights into shark behavior across different life stages:
This study capitalizes on data and knowledge from one of the longest running shark ecotourism dive sites in the world. This offered a unique opportunity to observe the detailed behavior of these individuals over many years, as they grow, develop and manage their social relationships.
Marosi added:
The Shark Reef Marine Reserve is a protected area where large numbers of sharks gather year round, giving us the ability to study individual sharks repeatedly over time.
Fiji Shark Lab is currently working alongside the Ministry of Fisheries, Fiji. By working closely with the Ministry of Fisheries, Shark Lab ensures that these insights are applied to safeguard bull shark populations effectively, helping shape conservation strategies that protect these sharks and their habitats for the long term.
Bottom line: Bull sharks form enduring social bonds, selecting preferred companions and sustaining strong, structured networks in the wild.
Read more: Sharks and rays leap out of the water. But why?
The post Bull sharks choose companions and form lasting bonds first appeared on EarthSky.
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Bull sharks form specific social bonds instead of mixing randomly. That’s according to new research from more than six years at the Shark Reef Marine Reserve in Fiji. Researchers observed 184 bull sharks and discovered they actively choose companions and maintain long-term social connections. These findings challenge the common belief that sharks are solitary creatures.
The research team published its study in the peer-reviewed journal Animal Behaviour in April 2026.
Bull sharks show clear social preferences in the wild
The research showed bull sharks do not behave as solitary animals. They show distinct preferences for certain companions and deliberately choose who to associate with. Much like humans, they maintain different types of social relationships, ranging from close partners to more casual acquaintances. And, just like us, they actively avoid certain individuals. Lead author Natasha D. Marosi, an Exeter researcher and founder of Fiji Shark Lab, explained:
As humans we cultivate a range of social relationships — from casual acquaintances to our best friends — but we also actively avoid certain people — and these bull sharks are doing similar things.
Researchers from the University of Exeter, Lancaster University, Fiji Shark Lab and Beqa Adventure Divers observed the sharks over six years. They looked at broad associations and when sharks stayed close together. Plus they detailed interactions such as sharks following each other or swimming side by side. Social bonds were common among adult sharks, who also tended to associate with partners of similar size.
Age groups and their social patterns
The study revealed clear differences in social behavior depending on life stage. Juvenile bull sharks live in rivers and estuaries. During this early stage they avoid predation, which includes avoiding adult bull sharks. Sub-adult sharks, which have not yet reached sexual maturity, usually remain in near-shore areas. Some of the braver sub-adults visit the Reserve, where they form social connections with adult sharks that may help them learn skills and integrate into the social network.
Adult sharks are highly social, frequently interacting with chosen partners. In contrast, older sharks are less socially active. Having accumulated years of experience in hunting and mating, these sharks rely less on social interactions for survival. Marosi explained:
Our results show that older sharks tend to be less social. These older individuals have many years of experience honing their skill sets, hunting and mating, and sociality may not be as integral to their survival as it is for an individual in their prime.
Benefits of social behavior
Social bonds offer multiple advantages. They help sharks learn new skills, find food and mates and avoid conflicts. Professor Darren Croft from Exeter’s Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour stated:
Contrary to commonly held perceptions of sharks, our study shows they have relatively rich and complex social lives.
Both males and females preferred female companions, but males had more social links overall. Marosi said:
Male bull sharks are physically smaller than females, thus one potential benefit they may gain is by being more socially integrated; they are buffered from aggressive confrontations with larger individuals.
A female bull shark at the Shark Reef Marine Reserve in Fiji. Video via Wikipedia.
Research and conservation relevance
Long-term observation allowed researchers to track individual sharks over many years. It also helped them understand how social patterns develop and persist. David Jacoby from Lancaster University emphasized that this approach provided valuable insights into shark behavior across different life stages:
This study capitalizes on data and knowledge from one of the longest running shark ecotourism dive sites in the world. This offered a unique opportunity to observe the detailed behavior of these individuals over many years, as they grow, develop and manage their social relationships.
Marosi added:
The Shark Reef Marine Reserve is a protected area where large numbers of sharks gather year round, giving us the ability to study individual sharks repeatedly over time.
Fiji Shark Lab is currently working alongside the Ministry of Fisheries, Fiji. By working closely with the Ministry of Fisheries, Shark Lab ensures that these insights are applied to safeguard bull shark populations effectively, helping shape conservation strategies that protect these sharks and their habitats for the long term.
Bottom line: Bull sharks form enduring social bonds, selecting preferred companions and sustaining strong, structured networks in the wild.
Read more: Sharks and rays leap out of the water. But why?
The post Bull sharks choose companions and form lasting bonds first appeared on EarthSky.
from EarthSky https://ift.tt/NJM1xXd
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