Fauna
Fish

Zebra Shark

Stegostoma fasciatum

Also known as Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark, Leopard Shark

Zebra sharks spend daylight hours resting motionless on sandy seafloors near coral reefs, propping themselves up on their pectoral fins to face into currents that aerate their gills. At night they become active hunters, squirming into narrow reef crevices and suctioning mollusks and crustaceans out of hiding with flexible, muscular mouths. Females lay large dark brown egg cases covered in fine anchoring fibers that tangle securely in surrounding reef structure.

MarineNocturnalReef-Dwelling
Zebra Shark reference
Felix Frost-Savage / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyMarine gastropods, Crabs, Small reef fishes
Predators
  • Tiger shark
  • Great hammerhead shark
ThreatsTargeted fishing, accidental bycatch, and reef habitat loss
HabitatsCoral reefs, sandy flats, and rubble substrates
Life span25–35 years
Classification
  1. FamilyStegostomatidae
  2. SpeciesStegostoma fasciatum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Look for an extremely long ribbon-like tail, five prominent dorsal ridges, and dark spots across a pale body.
Support conservation
Keep at least three meters of distance while diving, avoid blocking their swim paths, and never corner individuals resting on sand beds.
Responsible observation
  • Maintain Buoyancy: Hover gently above resting individuals so you do not stir sediment or disrupt their respiratory flow.
  • Do Not Touch: Respect their resting space and avoid cornering them under ledges or grabbing their distinctive tails.
Related species
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