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  • Zebra Shark
Fish

Zebra Shark

Scientific Name

Stegostoma tigrinum

Other Common Name(s)

Leopard Shark, Variegated Shark

Body Length

Up to 3.54 m

Shark swimming above a diver.
Leopard shark with dark spots resting on sandy seabed with corals.

Habitat

Ocean
Blue underwater scene with a slope and small dark dots.

Diet

Fish, crustaceans and other shellfish
Fish, scallop, squid, and shrimp.

Fun Facts

  • Zebra sharks are nocturnal, spending their daytime resting and wandering around. Similar to other bottom dwelling sharks, they pump water through their mouth and then the gills to obtain oxygen while resting.

  • The eggs of zebra sharks are large and are attached to rocks or corals with hair-like fibres.

    • Leopard shark with spots swimming over a sandy bottom in an aquarium.
    Close-up of a leopard shark with spots, swimming in blue water.

    Distribution

    Coastal waters around the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean, including waters of countries such as South Africa, India, China and Australia.

    Threats & Conservation

    Threats & Conservation

    Threats

    • An axe and a hexagonal grid with red dotsAn axe and a hexagonal grid with red dots

      Overexploitation of Biological Resources

    • Earth globe next to a thermometer showing high temperature.Earth globe next to a thermometer showing high temperature.

      Climate Change

    Zebra sharks are threatened by commercial fisheries in most of their range. They are captured as targets or bycatch in coastal waters. They live in coral reefs, where destructive fishing practices like poisoning and explosives destroy their homes. These fish are sold in various countries in Asia. Their livers are used to make vitamins and the fins are consumed as shark fin soup. The remaining parts are made into animal feed or fertilisers.

    Conservation

    IUCN Red List categories. Red banner: 'Endangered Species Red List', 'Endangered'. Circles for EW, CR, EN, VU, NT, LC, DD, with EN highlighted.
    CITES logo formed by images of various animals.

    IUCN Red List

    • Endangered

    Ocean Park's Conservation Efforts

    Ocean Park provides training to international aquariums, governments, and research institutions on artificial breeding and wild release of zebra sharks, helping to conserve this endangered species.

    Sharing the Expertise of Ocean Park

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    ACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMSACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMS
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    Ocean Park Corporation is a charitable institution registered with Inland Revenue Department, Hong Kong (File No: 91/2801).

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