Skip to main content

Zebra shark

Stegostoma tigrinum

Familia: Stegostomatidae | Género: Stegostoma

Zebra shark (Stegostoma tigrinum)

Zebra shark

Stegostoma tigrinum

Familia: Stegostomatidae | Género: Stegostoma

Tropical waters | Carnivorous | Nocturnal | Indo-Pacific Ocean | Up to 350 cm

The zebra shark is a large shark species easily recognised in its early life stages by its distinctive body pattern: a dark background with white stripes, resembling those of a zebra. As it matures, this coloration gradually fades, becoming a yellowish-brown tone with dark brown spots in adulthood.

It is a slow-moving and docile shark that spends much of the day resting on the seabed. Its activity increases at night, when it ventures out to feed, moving through reefs and rocky areas.

Geographic distribution

The zebra shark is found across the Indo-Pacific and Indo-West Pacific regions. Its range extends from the Red Sea and the eastern coast of Africa, across the Indian Ocean, to the western Pacific, including: Southern Japan, New Caledonia and Fiji, Northern Australia and New South Wales, Tonga, and The Persian Gulf

This wide distribution reflects its adaptability to a variety of tropical reef environments.

Stegostoma tigrinum
Zebra shark
Stegostoma tigrinum

Icono de Anfibios Habitat

The zebra shark primarily inhabits coral reefs, although it can also be found in sandy, rocky, and rubble areas on both continental and insular shelves.

This species is typically found from the surface down to depths of around 60 metres, although it rarely descends beyond 30 metres. It is commonly observed resting on the seabed near reefs, using crevices and overhangs as shelter.

Icono de Anfibios Lifestyle and behaviour

The zebra shark is largely solitary throughout both its juvenile and adult stages, although temporary groupings may be observed during the breeding season.

Social behaviour:

  • Generally solitary, with limited interaction outside the reproductive period.

Daily activity:

  • A predominantly nocturnal species. During the day it remains inactive and calm, resting on the seabed. At night it becomes more active and begins searching for food.

Reproduction:

  • It is an oviparous species. Females lay eggs on the seabed, protected by tough egg cases.

  • Exceptionally, asexual reproduction through parthenogenesis has been documented—a rare phenomenon in sharks—where the egg develops without fertilisation, producing offspring genetically identical to the mother.

Relationship with its environment:

  • Undertakes short seasonal migrations.

Icono de Anfibios Diet

In the wild

  • Molluscs

  • Crustaceans

  • Occasionally sea snakes

Under human care

  • Diet based on white fish (hake), oily fish (herring), and squid

  • Five feedings per week

  • Diet should be varied and adjusted to the animal’s size and age to maintain optimal health

Icono de Anfibios Conservation status

Lista roja IUCN Rana arborícola verde (Litoria Caerulea)

The zebra shark (Stegostoma tigrinum) is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List, with a declining global population trend.

It is a relatively slow-moving shark that forages within reef cavities in search of prey. This species is consumed by humans, processed into fishmeal, and targeted in the Asian shark fin trade.

Main threats:

  • Decline of coral reef habitats

  • Overfishing

  • Illegal fishing

Related species

Nurse shark

Brownbanded bamboo shark