•         When Zebra Sharks are young, they have yellowish stripes on a dark background.
• Once adults, the pattern changes to small, dark spots on a grayish tan background.
• Because of the change, Zebra Sharks are often called Leopard Sharks.
• The Zebra Shark is hard to confuse with any other shark because of the ridges that run the length of the body and tail (which is almost as long as the body).

•         Zebra Sharks are often found around near shore reefs off the western Pacific Ocean (Japan to Australia), the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea (the western Pacific region).

 A lot of the times they are found on sandy bottoms.

•         Zebra Sharks feed on reef mollusks, crustaceans, small bony fish, bivalves, sea snails, crabs and shrimps.
• This particular type of shark has a flexible body which allows it to swim through narrow crevices and channels in their search of food.
• Zebra Sharks' teeth are loosely attached to their jaws so it is possible for them to come out when they eat.
• Special tissue in the jaws of Zebra Sharks regrow new teeth to replace the ones that have fallen out.

•         The maximum size of a Zebra Shark is 12 feet long.
• Lengths less than 7 1/2 feet are more common.

• Zebra Sharks are not dangerous.
• With the exception of larger sharks, few fish could attack an adult Zebra Shark.
• As with other sharks, humans are the biggest threat to Zebra Sharks.
• Zebra Shark meat is collected by in-shore fisheries.  It is sold fresh and salt dried and is also used in fishmeal.
• The livers of Zebra Sharks are processed for vitamins and the fins are dried for the shark fin trade.

• To reproduce a male Zebra Shark lets his sperm in to the female's reproduction track using sperm like transfers called claspers.  The male does this by biting the female's protectoral fin.
• A female lays the egg cases (anywhere to 4- 17cm long, 8cm wide, and 5cm thick) in tough capsules that are anchored to the sea floor by tufts of fibers.

•         A Zebra Shark's stripes make it difficult to see under shallow water.
• A Zebra Shark has 5 gill slits on the side of it's head.
• The  Zebra Shark belongs to the Stegostomatidae family.
• The scientific name for Zebra Shark is Stegosoma Fasciatum.
• Many Zebra Sharks don't flee if you're near them unless they're crowded by divers.
• Zebra Sharks are slow, graceful moving creatures.
• Zebra Sharks are very flexible and it's fins can slip into small cracks and crevices to get food or anything that it needs.

• Zebra Sharks are neither endangered nor threatened.

See! The Zebra Sharks
don't go anywhere!!
 
 

Bibliography
-www.aqua.org
-www.elasmodiver.com