Zebra shark
The zebra shark is a species of carpet shark and the sole member of the family Stegostomatidae. It is found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific, frequenting coral reefs and sandy flats to a depth of 62 m. Adult zebra sharks are distinctive in appearance, with five longitudinal ridges on a cyli…
Shark
Sharks are a group of elasmobranch fish characterized by a cartilaginous skeleton, five to seven gill slits on the sides of the head, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. Modern sharks are classified within the clade Selachimorpha and are the sister group to the ra…
Fish meal
Fish meal, or fishmeal, is a commercial product made from fish and the bones and offal from processed fish. It is a brown powder or cake obtained by drying the fish or fish trimmings, often after cooking, and then grinding it. If it is a fatty fish it is also pressed to extract most of the fish …
Are zebra sharks aggressive?
Although sharks have a reputation as aggressive predators, zebra sharks tend to take it easy most of the day. Even when hunting, the Zebra shark spends most of its time near the ocean floor and displays sluggish, easygoing behavior.
Are zebra sharks omnivores?
Zebra sharks are omnivorous animals but tend to have a more meat-based diet. Zebra sharks feed on small fish, crabs, shrimp, snails and other small invertebrates along with squid and sea snakes which they forage for in the coral reefs. Due to their relatively large size, zebra sharks have few natural predators as...
Are zebra sharks endangered?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species lists the zebra shark as endangered. With the exception of some other large shark species, few predators could take on an adult zebra shark. As with other sharks, humans are the biggest threat to zebra sharks.
What are zebra’s predators?
Although zebras are more than capable of protecting themselves with their sharp hooves and swift kicks, they are unfortunately preyed upon by several predators that have developed a taste for their meat. Let’s take a look at some of the Zebra’s main predators. 1. African lions
Why are zebra sharks hunted?
7) Hunted for its meat, fins and liver oil (used in making vitamins), zebra sharks are considered Endangered worldwide by IUCN.
Do zebra sharks bite?
Zebra sharks are docile, generally slow-moving and are not dangerous to humans. Only one provoked attack has every been recorded, they have however bitten divers who pull their tails and try to ride them.
How long do zebra shark live?
25-30 yearsMales reach sexual maturity at 150–180 cm (4.9–5.9 ft), and females at 170 cm (5.6 ft) long (Compagno, 2001). The lifespan of the zebra shark is believed to be 25-30 years. These nocturnal hunters feed primarily on mollusks, crustaceans, small bony fishes, and even sea snakes.
Is a zebra shark friendly?
Docile and slow-moving, zebra sharks are not dangerous to humans and can be easily approached underwater. However, they have bitten divers who pull on their tails or attempt to ride them.
Are zebra sharks asexual?
A female zebra shark in an Australian aquarium has astounded scientists by producing live offspring asexually, three years after being separated from her long-term mate.
What is a lion shark?
Lion Sharks are fearsome aquatic creatures renowned for the difficult involved in catching them. To catch a large lion shark is the mark of an experienced fisherman. They mostly inhabit the sea around the El Nido Triangle.
Are zebra sharks aggressive?
Adult zebra sharks are non-aggressive, and have few predators other than larger shark species that may be lucky enough to catch one in its jaws. As with other sharks, the largest threat to zebra sharks is humans.
How much do zebra sharks cost?
Item #DescriptionPrice026947Zebra Shark, X-Large: over 20-26", Japan * Restriction On Guarantee$6,999.99026948Zebra Shark, XX-Large: over 26-32", Japan * Restriction On Guarantee$6,999.99026949Zebra Shark, Show: over 32", Japan * Restriction On Guarantee$9,999.99
Do lemon sharks like humans?
Since these sharks are gentle animals and generally non-aggressive towards humans, they are very popular shark divers. There has never been a recorded fatality due to a Lemon Shark bite and most bites are the result of the shark being spooked.
What is the nicest shark?
I've found 7 of the friendliest shark species that really pose no danger to humans or divers to prove it!...1 Leopard Shark. Share. ... 2 Zebra Shark. Share. ... 3 Hammerhead Shark. Share. ... 4 Angel Shark. Share. ... 5 Whale Shark. Share. ... 6 Bluntnose Sixgill Shark. ... 7 Bigeye Thresher Shark.
What is the most harmless shark?
The leopard shark is the first on our list of least dangerous shark species to be utterly harmless to humans. There has not been a single report of a human being bitten by a leopard shark.
Are sharks scared of dolphins?
Just like we check under our beds for monsters, sharks check for dolphins before nodding off. That's right, the toughest kids on the undersea block swim in fear of dolphins. Here, we've compiled a splash of facts to tell you why. Flexibility Gives Dolphins the Upper Fin.
What makes Zebra Sharks unique?
The zebra shark is unique in a few ways. For one, it’s one of the few sharks that give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. And unlike most...
Where are Zebra Sharks native to?
Zebra Sharks are native to the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. They typically inhabit coastal areas, but they have been known to venture into...
Why are Zebra Sharks nocturnal in nature?
Zebra sharks are nocturnal in nature for a variety of reasons. One reason is that they generally prefer to sleep during the daytime and be active a...
Do Zebra Sharks travel in packs?
Zebra sharks do travel in packs, but not necessarily for protection. Sharks are often thought of as solitary hunters, but in fact, they’re more soc...
What are some common predators of Zebra Sharks?
There are a few common predators of Zebra Sharks. One is the Tiger Shark, which is known to prey on smaller sharks like the Zebra Shark. Another...
Is the Zebra Shark an endangered species?
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species classifies the zebra shark as Vulnerable. The main threats to zebra sharks are fisheries bycatch and coasta...
Where do zebra sharks live?
They hunt at night. Zebra sharks are found in the western Pacific Ocean from Japan to Australia, as well as the Indian Ocean and Red Sea. Zebra sharks feed mainly on mollusks and crustaceans as well as small fish. This shark’s flexible body allows it to squirm into narrow crevices and reef channels in search of food.
What is a zebra shark called?
As they mature, the pattern changes to small dark spots on a grayish-tan background. Because of this, zebra sharks are often mistakenly referred to as leopard sharks . Two more features distinguish the zebra shark: the prominent ridges running the length of the body, and the impressive tail, which is nearly as long as the body itself.
How big is a zebra shark?
The maximum reported size of a zebra shark is nearly 12 feet, though lengths of less than 7.5 feet are more common. Population Status. Conservation alert! The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species lists the zebra shark as endangered.
Can humans eat zebra sharks?
With the exception of some other large shark species, few predators could take on an adult zebra shark. As with other sharks, humans are the biggest threat to zebra sharks. Their meat is sold fresh and salt-dried and is used in fishmeal. Their livers are processed for vitamins, and fins are dried for the shark-fin trade.
Why are zebra sharks called that?
The Zebra shark is named for the stripes it displays while young. As the Zebra shark matures, its pattern changes from stripes to spots.
Why are zebra sharks called carpet sharks?
Zebra sharks are also known as “carpet sharks” because of their bottom-dwelling behavior. Their tendency to stay close to the ocean floor keeps Zebra sharks close to their common prey (mollusks) and allows the Zebra shark long periods of rest.
Do zebra sharks harm humans?
Even when hunting, the Zebra shark spends most of its time near the ocean floor and displays sluggish, easygoing behavior. A Zebra shark is not likely to harm humans in the wild.
What are the threats to zebra sharks?
Humans, however, are a huge threat. In some regions, poachers have free reign to hunt them for fins and liver oil. The former is for a delicacy called “fin soup”; the latter is used in vitamins. Habitat encroachment presents another fatal problem for zebra sharks, as does the erosion and debasement of coral reefs.
Why are zebra sharks endangered?
Zebra sharks are under threat from overfishing and habitat loss. The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the species as Endangered, except for the Australian coastal population, which doesn’t face poaching or overfishing threats and is therefore listed in the Least Concern category.
How do zebra sharks reproduce?
During mating season, male zebra sharks chase females and show interest by snapping at their tails. When a match meets, the male grasps the female’s pectoral fins, and they attach. The pair then lies still together for a while on the ocean floor. Eventually, the male wraps himself around the female and inserts one of his claspers (modifications of the pelvic fins) into her cloaca for a few minutes.#N#Females lay about four brown or purplish eggs at one time, which are ringed with a light layer of hair that clings to the nesting surface. Each breeding season, a single female may lay up to 46 eggs in over 112 days.#N#Depending on the temperature, eggs incubate for five to six months and burst into the world as 20- to 30-centimeter-long (7.9- to 14.2-inch-long) hatchlings.#N#Fascinatingly, zebra shark females can reproduce without males. It’s called parthenogenesis, which means reproduction without fertilization. Two well-documented incidents involve Leonie, a female zebra shark in Australia, and Zebedee, the lady resident zebra shark in a restaurant aquarium at the world’s most luxurious resort in Dubai. Both females haven’t been around males for years but managed to lay eggs that successfully hatched.
What is the scientific name for zebra sharks?
The proper scientific name for zebra sharks is like the tastes-great-vs-less-filling beer debate of the marine taxonomy world. The majority of scientists use Stegostoma fasciatum. However, another school of thought believes Stegostoma varium is the right choice. A 2019 taxonomic review complicated matters when it concluded that Stegostoma tigrinum is the correct term.#N#Stegostoma is a portmanteau (word made up of two other words) of the Greek words “stego” and “stoma,” meaning “covered” and “mouth,” respectively. Fasciatum also derives from Greek and means “banded,” a reference to baby zebra sharks’ stripes.#N#Zebra sharks are sometimes mistaken for and called “leopard sharks” because adults of the species lose their stripes and gain spots.
Why are zebra sharks in free fall?
They spend their days sleeping and their evenings leisurely hunting around the sea floor and eating. Because of climate change and human activity , zebra shark numbers are in free fall.
How big do zebra sharks get?
They typically grow to a length of 2.5 meters (8.2 feet), and the current record for the longest adult is 3.5 meters (11 feet) — twice the height of actor Danny Devito! At birth, zebra sharks sport dark brown skin on top, yellowish bellies, and vertical yellow stripes. As they grow, the stripes separate into spots.
What kingdom do zebra sharks belong to?
Zebra Sharks belong to the Kingdom Animalia.
What do zebra sharks do?
At night, they actively hunt for molluscs, crustaceans, small bony fishes, and possibly sea snakes inside holes and crevices in the reef. Though solitary for most of the year, they form large seasonal aggregations. The zebra shark is oviparous: females produce several dozen large egg capsules, which they anchor to underwater structures via adhesive tendrils. Innocuous to humans and hardy in captivity, zebra sharks are popular subjects of ecotourism dives and public aquaria. The World Conservation Union has assessed this species as Endangered worldwide, as it is taken by commercial fisheries across most of its range (except off Australia) for meat, fins, and liver oil. There is evidence that its numbers are dwindling.
Which shark is closest to the zebra shark?
Dingerkus (1986) suggested that the whale shark is the closest relative of the zebra shark, and proposed a single family encompassing all five species in the clade. Compagno (1988) suggested affinity between this species and either Pseudoginglymostoma or a clade containing Rhincodon, Ginglymostoma, and Nebrius.
How long is a zebra shark's caudal fin?
The caudal fin is almost as long as the rest of the body, with a barely developed lower lobe and a strong ventral notch near the tip of the upper lobe. The zebra shark attains a length of 2.5 m (8.2 ft), with an unsubstantiated record of 3.5 m (11 ft). Males and females are not dimorphic in size.
How long does it take for a zebra shark to hatch?
A juvenile zebra shark with a color pattern intermediate between that of young and adults. In captivity, the eggs hatch after four to six months, depending on temperature. The hatchlings measure 20–36 cm (7.9–14.2 in) long and have proportionately longer tails than adults.
What color are sandy zebra sharks?
There is substantial variation in pattern amongst adults, which can be used to identify particular individuals. A rare morph, informally called the sandy zebra shark, is overall sandy–brown in color with inconspicuous dark brown freckles on its upperside, lacking the distinct dark-spotted and banded pattern typical of the species. The appearance of juveniles of this morph is unknown, but subadults that are transitioning into adult sandy zebra sharks have a brown-netted pattern. Faint remnants of this pattern can often be seen in adult sandy zebra sharks. This morph, which is genetically inseparable from the normal morph, is only known from the vicinity of Malindi in Kenya, although seemingly similar individuals have been reported from Japan and northwestern Australia.
How do zebra sharks look?
The zebra shark has a cylindrical body with a large, slightly flattened head and a short, blunt snout. The eyes are small and placed on the sides of the head; the spiracles are located behind them and are as large or larger. The last 3 of the 5 short gill slits are situated over the pectoral fin bases, and the fourth and fifth slits are much closer together than the others. Each nostril has a short barbel and a groove running from it to the mouth. The mouth is nearly straight, with three lobes on the lower lip and furrows at the corners. There are 28–33 tooth rows in the upper jaw and 22–32 tooth rows in the lower jaw; each tooth has a large central cusp flanked by two smaller ones.
How many eggs do zebra sharks have?
The zebra shark is oviparous: females produce several dozen large egg capsules, which they anchor to underwater structures via adhesive tendrils. Innocuous to humans and hardy in captivity, zebra sharks are popular subjects of ecotourism dives and public aquaria.
What is a zebra shark?
"Zebra" is a strange name for these spotted sharks—until you see the striped pups. The dark-and-light bands on their long, long tails mimic the markings of venomous sea snakes, making predators steer clear of the otherwise edible 8- to 14-inch pups. As the sharks grow—to lengths of 7 to 8 feet—the dark bands break up into hundreds of small spots on a light background, camouflaging adults against a reef floor of coral sand or rubble.
What is FinPrint Captain's Corner?
The “FinPrint Captain’s Corner” in Teen Learning Lab is a dedicated workspace for the world’s largest shark and ray survey, Global FinPrint.
What do squirms eat?
Slow, slim and sinuous, they can squirm into crevices and small caves in the coral. Then, like vacuum cleaners, they suck in snails and clams, along with crabs, shrimp and small fishes, all of which they crush with their powerful teeth.
Do zebra sharks have to swim?
Zebra sharks don't have to swim to breathe. By day they rest on the sandy bottoms of Indo-Pacific reefs with their mouths open and powerful throat muscles pumping water across their gills. Zebras often face into the current, even propping themselves up on their pectoral fins, to get more oxygenated water with less pumping.
What do zebra sharks do?
Long and sleek, zebra sharks can wriggle into reef crevices and caves to hunt for their favorite food. Barbels (fleshy feelers) on their snouts help them search for their prey. Zebra sharks hunt at night; in the daytime they usually rest quietly on the bottom, "standing" on their pectoral (side) fins.
When was the albino zebra shark discovered?
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.
How do sharks reproduce?
To reproduce, male sharks use claspers (modifications of the pelvic fins) to transfer sperm into the female's reproductive tract. The zebra female lays fertilized eggs in tough capsules covered with tufts of filaments, which attach the eggs to the seafloor. Conservation.
What animals glide through kelp canopies?
See sardines swirl and leopard sharks glide through kelp canopies on our Kelp Forest Cam.
Why do sharks sink?
Sharks sink if they stop swimming, since they don't have gas-filled swim bladders like most other fishes. Their oil-rich livers help with buoyancy but not enough to keep the sharks afloat.
Do zebra sharks have gills?
But, like all bottom-dwelling sharks, zebra sharks have the ability to pump water over their gills, either through their mouth or through the large spiracle behind each eye. To ease the task of pumping all that water over their gills, the sharks face into the ocean current. Related. More on sharks.
What are the predators of zebra sharks?
Predators of zebra sharks are other large sharks and humans. ( Cavanagh, et al., 2003)
Why are zebra sharks important?
The liver of this species is used to make vitamins, and its fins are used in many soups. ( Kyne, et al., 2005)
How big are zebra sharks?
Zebra sharks range from about 2.5 m to 3.0 m in length. The largest zebra shark captured wasabout 3.5 m in length. The body is cylindrical with lateral ridges and a tail as long as the body. The head is broad with large eyes and a transverse mouth just below them. Five gill slits are present on the side of the head.
Where do zebra sharks live?
Zebra sharks ( Stegostoma fasciatum) live in the central, western and Indian Pacific oceans. This species is abundant in Australian coastal waters. It lives mainly over continental and insular shelves and is very common around coral reefs and sandy bottoms. It generally resides around 62 m below the surface of the ocean, ...
Where do sharks lay their eggs?
Newly fertilized eggs are laid on rocks at the bottom of reefs. From the time they hatch they are independent of their parents. Individuals less than 70 cm in length are rarely seen, indicating that they spend the first months of their lives at depths that recreational divers do not reach. The young sharks are darker in base color and have light stripes and spots than do adult sharks. As they age, the young lose their stripes and gain spots as their base color lightens. ( "Zebra shark", 2005)
Do sharks swim in open water?
These sharks do not usually swim in open water, so their territories are limited mainly to the reef at which they were hatched or reefs that are closely connected to their natal area. ( "Zebra shark", 2005; Stead, 1963)
Do zebra sharks have a negative effect on human economies?
Zebra sharks are not known to have a negative effect on human economies.
What do zebras do when a predator attacks?
When a predator attacks, zebras will usually bunch together and flee, with mares and foals usually leading in the front. The dominant stallion of the group would also act as a protector, ready to ward off the attackers with bites and kicks. This type of behaviour helps the zebras to escape when needed.
What animals can take down zebras?
This tactic enables them to have the element of surprise and to easily take down a strong and healthy zebra. 2. Spotted hyenas. Although hyenas are known to be scavenger animals that have no qualms digging into other predators’ leftovers during the day, they do hunt for food at night.
What are the three types of zebras?
These social animals are classified in three different species: the plains zebra (also known as the common zebra), the mountain zebra and the Grévy’s zebra (also known as the Imperial zebra).
Which animal is bigger, a zebra or a lion?
1. African lions. Zebras are not completely defenceless when it comes to protecting themselves against these much-feared yet respected predators. This is due to zebras being bigger than lions and being able to deliver hard kicks with their hooves. However, a pride of lions can overpower a zebra easily.
Why are zebras endangered?
Sadly, the zebra population has been affected negatively by the destruction of their habitats and by those hunting them for their skins to create trade products. Added to this, the mountain zebra and the Grévy’s zebra are today listed as endangered species. Another threat to zebras’ existence is the presence of predators.
How fast can a cheetah go?
Cheetahs are the fastest land animals on earth, reaching speeds of up to 120.7 km/h (75.0 mph). With their good eyesight and their speed, they are one of the zebra’s most dangerous enemies. Lone cheetahs will usually hunt young colts; however, when they are hunting in packs, this predator of zebras can take down bigger, adult zebras as they have the advantage of numbers, strength and being able to overtake the zebra.
Why are humans so dangerous to zebras?
Sadly, humans are considered to be one of the biggest threats to zebras due to both diet and trade. The meat of the Burchell’s zebra, a subspecies of the plains zebra, is considered to be edible and packed full of vitamins such as zinc, Vitamin B12 and iron. Over and above eating this animal’s meat, humans also hunt zebras for their pelts that are then used for various items such as rugs and chair upholstery. Human’s farming practice also impact zebras’ feeding grounds as these herbivores’ habitat areas sizes are reduced.
