It’s the battle you’ve all been waiting for--today, we’ll learn the answer to one of the most debated questions in the history of Fauna Face-Offs: which apex predator, the bull shark or the American crocodile, will defeat the other? This event is sure to make Mega Shark versus Crocosaurus look like a D-rated horror--oh wait… anyways; in the red corner, swimming in at 11 feet, weighing a total of 700 lbs, we have Bulls-Eye the Shark. The challenger, topping the scales at 450 lbs, gliding to the blue corner at 13 feet, we have, ‘Merica the Killer, yet patriotic, Croc.
The tension is palpable as each of the contenders anxiously swim about and stare each other down. Just moments after entering the ring, a flurry of insults and taunts fill the brackish ecosystem. Debates regarding who’s the true apex predator of the Everglades and who’s been seen on more Orlando airboat rides are filling the ears of every spectator--several terrified human spectators around the ring are quickly retreating.
As the starting bell reverberates, sending chills down the spines of all the spectators, each contender slowly, and gracefully submerges into the murky water. ‘Merica must be planning to perform his signature move: the blend and SNAP! However, even with his excellent camouflage, Bulls-Eye uses his outstanding sense of smell to locate ‘Merica and then unleashes his unique fighting style, that’s specific only to his species of shark, the bump and bite. Because he has poor eyesight, Bulls-Eye uses his broad and blunt head to charge into ‘Merica in an attempt to stun him.
Bulls-Eye is known for biting first and asking questions later but he’s not used to the incredible armor that ‘Merica brings to the table. ‘Merica uses his armor to entice Bulls-Eye to hit him again and again, knowing that bull sharks are built for strength, not speed. When Bulls-Eye charges, ‘Merica lets him get within striking distance and--Ding Ding Ding--that’s the bell. Looks like this fight is going into round two.
It’s clear from the first round that ‘Merica is using his sit and wait technique to tire Bulls-Eye out. As both contenders rest and talk strategy for the next round, Bulls-Eye starts bantering ‘Merica about his dentition--Bulls-Eye repeatedly compares his 3000 teeth to ‘Merica’s 68. As the second round bell sounds, ‘Merica enters the ring with a snarl and growl, and Bulls-Eye looks pleased with his himself--it must have been a mental tactic, meant to shake ‘Merica up.
‘Merica uses the same technique as before, but this time, he’s weaving through the estuary-floor debris. He’s using the sticks as tools to shield him from Bulls-Eye’s fierce and powerful blows. As Bulls-Eye is preparing to strike again, Merica rockets towards him, grabbing him by the tail and entering a fearsome death roll. Once released from the roll, Bulls-Eye quickly darts away to catch his breath--if he doesn’t keep moving, he’ll drown. Although Bulls-Eye is a bulky breed of shark, his streamlined proportions made the signature death roll a simple jab instead of a K.O. But the death roll took it’s toll on ‘Merica as he surfaces to catch his breath. Bulls-Eye sees his opening. The stomach armor is much weaker than the croc’s plated back. Bulls-Eye gains as much speed as he can, attempting to pull a maneuver he see’s every year on Shark Week, where the Great White launches itself out of the water to severely wound its prey. Bulls-Eye is clumsy at these speeds but he’s on target to inflict a fatal blow. When he’s just inches away, ‘Merica rolls to the side, barely escaping Bulls-Eye’s attempt at an upward attack. ‘Merica knows how bull sharks typically hunt and that this is not an ideal or practiced hunting tactic for the shark. The croc uses his instinctual sound perception to draw a mental picture of where the shark is, evades him, wraps his jaws around Bulls-Eye’s tail and begins dragging him to shore.
In this battle of champions, the croc’s wit is what wins him the match. Once he’s pulled the bull shark to the shore, Bulls-Eye is defenseless and out of his element. ‘Merica’s multi-terrain ability solidifies his victory and like crocodiles in the wild, he knows to drag shark prey to the shore in order to subdue it.
If you’re looking to see one of these amazing predators in the wild, join Wild Florida on an amazing Orlando airboat ride. Do you agree with the outcome of this Fauna Face-Off Friday? Leave your comments and suggestions below.
