Zebra Shark

The zebra shark (Stegostoma tigrinum) is a carpet shark found across the tropical Indo-Pacific, frequenting coral reefs and sandy flats to depths of about 62 m. Adults typically have five longitudinal ridges on a cylindrical body, a low caudal fin that makes up nearly half the total length, and dark spots on a pale background. Juveniles under roughly 50–90 cm show light vertical stripes on a brown background and lack the ridges. Adults reach about 2.5 m in length. Zebra sharks are largely nocturnal, spending much of the day resting motionless on the seafloor and actively hunting at night for molluscs, crustaceans, small bony fishes, and possibly sea snakes in holes and crevices. They are oviparous; females produce several dozen large egg capsules anchored to underwater structures by adhesive tendrils. Generally solitary for most of the year, they can form large seasonal aggregations. The species is considered innocuous to humans and is kept in public aquaria and used in ecotourism, but it has been assessed as Endangered due to fisheries removals for meat, fins, and liver oil across much of its range.

Assessed as Endangered due to removal by commercial fisheries for meat, fins, and liver oil across most of its range, with evidence of declining numbers.

Nocturnal: rests motionless on the seafloor during the day and actively hunts at night; generally solitary but forms large seasonal aggregations.