Fish

Zebra Shark

Scientific Name

Stegostoma tigrinum

Other Common Name(s)

Leopard Shark, Variegated Shark

Body Length

Up to 3.54 m

Habitat

Ocean

Diet

Fish, crustaceans and other shellfish

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.

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

Overexploitation of Biological Resources
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

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

Learn More

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Fish

Zebra Shark

Scientific Name

Stegostoma tigrinum

Other Common Name(s)

Leopard Shark, Variegated Shark

Body Length

Up to 3.54 m

Habitat

Ocean

Diet

Fish, crustaceans and other shellfish

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.

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

Overexploitation of Biological Resources
Climate Change

Conservation

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

Learn More