The only species of shark that lives in the Amazon River is the bull shark. Although we generally consider freshwater to be safer than the ocean, that isn't always the case! The Amazon River is the largest river in the world (by volume) and is home to a very dangerous shark.

Yes, there are sharks in the Amazon River, specifically the Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas). Bull sharks are unique among large shark species because they possess a specialized physiological adaptation called "osmoregulation," which allows them to transition from saltwater to freshwater by adjusting the concentration of salt in their blood. They have been spotted as far as 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) up the Amazon River, reaching the foothills of the Andes in Peru. While they are a formidable apex predator, they are not the only danger in the water, as they share the river with piranhas, black caimans, and giant anacondas. Despite their presence, shark attacks on humans in the Amazon are extremely rare, as the murky water and vastness of the river mean they rarely encounter people in a predatory context. Most "river sharks" are younger individuals or pregnant females looking for protected areas. For travelers, while the idea of a shark in the middle of a rainforest is terrifying, the reality is a fascinating example of biological versatility in one of the world's most complex and diverse ecosystems.