Bass can be shredded. Most bass players don't because their duty is to run rhythm section. People are mentioning that it doesn't sound very good or that the strings are bigger. Both are true, but there are workarounds to both(Piccolo strings, playing past the 12th fret).
Can you shred on acoustic?
-yes you can shred on an acoustic if you apply yourself and have the talent, drive, and discipline to do so.
Is Bass easy to pick up?
Bass is much easier to pick up than guitar. The focus on a single string really simplifies it and is much less intimidating. It's nice because you can pick up a bass and an hour later be able to play a simple song, where for many learning guitar chords can take days before even simple chords sound clear.