description Zebra shark Overview
The zebra shark is a species of carpet shark found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region and classified as the sole living member of the family Stegostomatidae. Juvenile zebra sharks are born with yellow and black vertical stripes, which gradually fade into the spotted pattern seen in adults. It is a nocturnal, benthic species that typically rests on the ocean floor during the day and hunts for mollusks and crustaceans at night. The shark is commonly encountered by scuba divers in shallow coral reef environments and sandy flats.
help Zebra shark FAQ
Why is an adult zebra shark covered in spots instead of stripes?
Zebra sharks hatch with dark and light vertical bands, but those bands break into spots as the animals mature. The transformation is so dramatic that juveniles and adults were once mistaken for different species.
Is a zebra shark the same animal as a leopard shark?
In Australia and some other regions, zebra sharks are locally called leopard sharks because adults are spotted. They should not be confused with Triakis semifasciata, the smaller eastern Pacific shark commonly called the leopard shark in the United States.
Do zebra sharks need to swim constantly to breathe?
No. They can pump water across their gills while resting, and they often lie on sandy reef bottoms during the day. These nocturnal carpet sharks become more active after dark while searching for mollusks and crustaceans.
How do zebra sharks reproduce?
Females lay large egg cases rather than giving birth to live pups. Fibrous strands on each case anchor it to the seabed, and captive zebra sharks have also demonstrated parthenogenesis, sometimes called virgin birth.
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