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Zebra Shark
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| Scientific Name: |
Stegostoma fasciatum |
| Range: |
Western Pacific Ocean |
| Habitat: |
Very common in coral reefs |
| Natural Diet: |
Snails, crabs, shrimp, and small bony fish |
| Zoo Diet: |
Scallops, capelin, shrimp, squid, krill, aquarium flake
food, brine shrimp, and vegetables |
Physical
Characteristics: |
Juvenile zebra sharks are dark brown with yellow-white
stripes and spots. These stripes give the shark its name “zebra.”
However, as the shark grows up, its appearance changes. The white
stripes and brown body are replaced by a pattern of dark brown spots on
a beige body. Full-grown zebra sharks average seven to nine feet in
length and 66 pounds in weight. |
| Behavior: |
Zebra sharks live a leisurely lifestyle near the ocean
floor. Their long, unusually flexible body moves easily through the
coral reefs of the sea. Zebra sharks often rest on the ocean floor and
prop themselves up on their front two fins. The mouth points downward,
helping the shark feed off of the ocean floor. |
| Reproduction: |
The female lays fertilized eggs in tough capsules
covered with filaments that attach the eggs to the seafloor. |
| Notes: |
Unfortunately, in some countries zebra shark fins are
used for shark fin soup. After the sharks are caught, fisheries take off
the fins and toss the rest of the shark overboard. The United States and
several other countries are working to stop this practice. |
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