Zebra Shark
ExploreFish
Zebra Shark
stegostoma fasciatum
The Zebra Shark is a unique fish with beautiful stripes that look like a zebra! They love to swim around coral reefs and can often be seen resting on the sea floor.
Habitat: Zebra Sharks live in warm, shallow waters around coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Appearance
The Zebra Shark has a cylindrical body that is yellowish-brown with dark spots as an adult. Juveniles, however, have striking dark stripes on a lighter body. It is easily recognized by its very long, ribbon-like tail fin, almost as long as its body.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassElasmobranchiiOrderOrectolobiformesFamilyStegostomatidaeGenusStegostoma
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A female Zebra Shark can reproduce all by herself, without a male, in a rare process called parthenogenesis!
Baby Zebra Sharks are born striped, but as they grow, their stripes magically turn into spots!
Its long tail can be nearly half its entire body length, helping it to swim and maneuver.
This shark can 'walk' on its pectoral fins across the ocean floor, almost like a seal.
Special abilities
Ability
Spotty Camouflage
Zebra Shark has a spotted pattern that helps them blend perfectly with sandy seabeds and coral reefs, hiding from predators and prey.
Ability
Still Breather
Zebra Shark can pump water over its gills even when lying still, allowing them to rest comfortably on the ocean floor.
Ability
Crevice Crawler
Zebra Shark has a flexible, slender body that helps them squeeze into tight spaces and navigate intricate coral reef structures.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 200-300 cm
- Weight
- 20-40 kg
- Lifespan
- 15-25 years
- Swim Speed
- 8 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 60 m
- Water Type
- Saltwater
Diet & Feeding
This bottom-dwelling shark loves to munch on small, crunchy shellfish and tiny fish hidden in the sand.
Primary Foods
- crabs
- shrimp
- octopuses
- snails
- small bony fish
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
hunts
Big Blue Octopus
Octopus cyanea
Preys on octopuses found in reef crevices.
hunts
Giant Tiger Prawn
Penaeus monodon
Searches sandy bottoms for various shrimp species.
hunts
Orange-spotted Spinefoot
Siganus guttatus
Feeds on small fish found hiding near reef structures.
eaten by
Tiger Shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
Larger sharks occasionally prey on juvenile or smaller adults.
Traits
Spotted
Marked with spots or patches of a different color.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Marine
Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
Also known as
Bamboo SharkStegostoma Shark
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Zebra Shark?
200-300 cm
How much does Zebra Shark weigh?
20-40 kg
How long does Zebra Shark live?
15-25 years
What does Zebra Shark eat?
This bottom-dwelling shark loves to munch on small, crunchy shellfish and tiny fish hidden in the sand.
How fast can Zebra Shark swim?
8 km/h
Where is Zebra Shark usually found?
Zebra Sharks live in warm, shallow waters around coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
How does Zebra Shark hunt?
Foraging
How deep can Zebra Shark go?
60 m
Snap Map
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