Zebra Shark
(Stegostoma varium)
Habitat: Coral Reefs |
Exhibit
Gallery: Sharks: Pacific Islands
|
| |
| A broad, low tail almost as long as its body characterizes this tropical reef shark, which can grow to nearly eight feet in length. Its low-profile shape allows it to squeeze into narrow cracks and crevices in search of prey. Young ones are dark in color with spots and vertical yellow stripes; hence the name. Adults are much lighter in color and usually lose the stripes, but not the spots. |
| |
|
| Commonly caught throughout the Indo-Pacific, but population status unknown. Humans eat the meat, livers are processed for vitamins, and fins dried for Asian markets. |
| |
|
| None. |
| |
|
| An albino zebra shark was discovered in 1973 in the Indian Ocean. She had a grayish tail, but was otherwise uniformly white without the usual dark spots seen on adults. Scientists were surprised she had survived, as her coloring would make her more vulnerable to predators. |
|
|
|
Previous 
