I LIVE IN AUSTRALIA AND ASIA
Zebra sharks can be found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from off to coast of Africa to Japan to Australia. They are partial to shallow, tropical waters with coral reef habitats with narrow crevices and reef channels.
I AM A CARNIVORE
The zebra shark has been known to feed on mollusks, small fish and various crustaceans that like to hid out in small cracks and crevices in the coral reefs. They are nocturnal hunters, meaning they forage for the food at nighttime.
ZEBRA SHARKS ARE SOLITARY
Zebra sharks are typically solitary creatures and like to have their own space to lounge in. However, often times during the summer months large groups of 20 to 50 zebra sharks will congregate.
STRIPES OR SPOTS?
When zebra sharks are born, they are covered in stripes, hence the name “zebra shark.” As the sharks grow from juveniles into adults, their stripes disappear and are replaced with a spotted pattern.
HELPING THE ZEBRA SHARK IN THE WILD
The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo supports sharks and rays conservation by providing financial support to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) for shark and stingray conservation programs.
I AM IMPORTANT TO MY ECOSYSTEM
The zebra shark plays a very important role in the food chain present in their ecosystem. As a predator, they prey an a large variety of marine species, which keeps these species from becoming overpopulated.