Zebra Shark

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Zebra Shark
Conservation status: Vulnerable

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Order:	Orectolobiformes
Family:	Stegostomatidae Gill, 1862
Genus:	Stegostoma Müller & Henle, 1837
Species:	S. fasciatum

Binomial name

Stegostoma fasciatum
(Hermann, 1783)

The Zebra Shark (Stegostoma fasciatum) is a common carpet shark of inshore Indo-Pacific waters notable for its very long caudal fin, nearly as long as its body. It is the only species in the family Stegostomatidae and the genus Stegostoma. The species is also sometimes known as the Leopard Shark, a name which can refer to either of the species Stegostoma fasciatum or Triakis semifasciata.

In addition to the long tail, the Zebra Shark has the distinctive ridges running down its body. As its names suggest, it is patterned; young sharks are dark with yellowish stripes, changing to an adult pattern of a tan color with dark spots, found all over including the fins. The snout is rather rounded, with small barbels (whiskers). Maximum known length is about 230 cm.

The Zebra Shark is a slow-moving type, often just sitting on the seafloor in the vicinity of coral reefs, on sandy or rocky bottoms. Unlike most types of sharks, it does not need to move, and instead pumps water through its gills. It feeds on molluscs, crustaceans, and small fish at night, and is capable of wiggling through small holes and crevices in its search for food.

Zebra sharks do well in captivity, and a number of aquariums around the world have them on display. They are fished commercially on a small scale.