WHATSTHATFISH
Sharks & rays

Zebra Shark

Stegostoma tigrinum

Also known as: Catshark, Common Carpet Shark, Leopard Shark, Variegated Shark

ENEndangeredIUCN Red List, 2024
Handle with careLook, don't touch
Adult
@fishx6 · Nika Island Resort, Maldives · May 20051 / 7
01

Overview

Found singly or in shivers, over coral, rubble, and sandy bottoms, of coastal waters. This is a slow moving shark that can sometimes be found hunting in packs.
They feed nocturnally on crustaceans, small fish, molluscs, octopus, and sea snakes.
Juvenile's black and white striped.

Zebra Sharks are not considered dangerous.
They have a tail that is half the size of their body.

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Pattern
spots

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-West Pacific
  • Exact location · 2
  • Country only · 5
LIVES IN

Found singly or in shivers, over coral, rubble, and sandy bottoms, of coastal waters.

04

Adult photos 7

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classElasmobranchii
    4. orderOrectolobiformes
    5. familyStegostomatidae
    6. genusStegostoma
    7. speciesStegostoma tigrinum (Forster, 1781)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Orectolobiformes