Zebra Shark

Stegostoma fasciatum

Phylum

Chordata

 Zebra Shark

Class

Chondrichthyes

Order

Orectolobiformes

Family

Stegostomatidae

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common names :

Zebra shark, Monkey-mouthed shark, Leopard shark.
Diet : Small fish, crustaceans and shellfish.
Reproduction : Oviparous : Females lay large brown egg cases about 15 centimetres in length that are attached to seaweed or rocks by hundreds of hair-like fibres.
Size : Maximum 3.5 metres  Average female 2.5 metres Average male 2 metres

 

Distribution of Zebra Shark Distribution : Common throughout the Indian and Western Pacific oceans. It can often be found resting on the bottom of coral reefs in shallow water during the day, as it is usually active at night.

 

Danger to man : Harmless.
Economic Importance : Very popular and attractive aquarium species.
Other Comments : The juveniles have stripes on their backs, giving them their common name, but these are lost and change to dark brown spots as the sharks mature. This has given rise to the alternative name of  Leopard shark in some areas allowing confusion between this shark and the 'real' Leopard shark - Triakis semifasciata.