(Stegostoma fasciatum)
Common Names: Zebra shark, Leopard shark
Latin Name: Stegostoma fasciatum, Stegostoma varium
Family: Stegostomatidae
Identification: Body scalloped (with two distinct ridges running from behind head along each flank into caudal fin. Caudal fin almost as long as body. First and second dorsal fins low and long. Pectorals well developed. Body colouration cream, yellow, or greenish yellow, with dense black spots. Juveniles have vertical lines of black on cream. Hence common name.
Size: Maximum length 3.5m. 25cm at birth. Colouration changes at around 90cm
Habitat: Inshore and offshore adjacent to reefs
Abundance and distribution: Red Sea south to South Africa, west to Indonesia and Samoa and from Japan to Australia
Behaviour: Usually seen resting on the sand or rubble adjacent to reefs during the day. Hunts in same area nocturnally. Feeds on molluscs, crustaceans, and occasionally on bony fishes
Reproduction: Oviparous. Up to four purple to brown egg cases are laid at a time. During mating the male bites on to the pectoral fin of the female. Juveniles are rarely seen and probably inhabit waters deeper than recreational scuba allows.
Information & Photos from Elasmodiver.com.
Where can I see a Zebra Shark?
A lot of larger public marine aquariums have Zebra Sharks, including London Aquarium, Berlin Zoo and Lisbon Oceanarium. Contact your nearest aquarium and see! They do well in captivity.