WILDLIFE
Texas Sharks
Since 1865, there have been 66 confirmed shark attacks recorded in the state of Texas, according to the Shark Attack Database, including one last summer off Crystal Beach on the Bolivar Peninsula. Not to worry! Statistically, three in five U.S. shark bites happen in Florida, and Galveston Island sees only one shark bite every three years (out of 20 million swimmers). Here are three common Gulf sharks.
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BLACKTIP
Blacktip sharks have three black tips and one white, and a conspicuous wedge- or Z-shaped line on their sides. They can grow up to 6 feet long.
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ATLANTIC SHARPNOSE
Less than 4 feet long, with a long, pointy snout, they mate May through July and then head out to deeper water.
BULL SHARK
Bull sharks can live in fresh water, too. Growing up to 7 1/2 feet, they are one of the few coastal sharks that will attack big prey.
