Zebra shark

The zebra shark (Stegostoma tigrinum) is a large Indo-Pacific carpet shark. Its striped juveniles develop a spotted pattern as they mature.

Carpet shark: A diverse order of sharks, Orectolobiformes, that includes bottom-dwelling and filter-feeding species. The zebra shark belongs to this order, alongside wobbegongs and whale sharks.
Benthic locomotion: Movement along or close to the bottom of a body of water. Its flexible body and muscular fins let it maneuver across reef and sand habitats.
Marine protected area: A defined ocean area where human activities are managed to protect habitats or species. Protected reef and coastal habitats can shelter zebra sharks from fishing pressure.
Juvenile zebra shark: The young life stage of Stegostoma tigrinum, marked by dark stripes and a dark body. Its striped appearance inspired the common name, before the adult pattern develops.
Stegostoma: A genus of carpet sharks represented today by the zebra shark, Stegostoma tigrinum. This genus contains the species named zebra shark.
Suction feeding: A feeding method that draws prey into the mouth by rapidly expanding the oral cavity. A small mouth and protrusible jaws help it take prey from crevices and the seafloor.
Shark finning: The removal of a shark's fins, often followed by discarding its body at sea. Fishing for fins contributes to pressure on zebra shark populations.
Adult zebra shark: The mature life stage of Stegostoma tigrinum, generally patterned with dark spots on a pale body. The adult's spots replace the juvenile stripes that define the species' transformation.
Shark: A cartilaginous fish belonging to the elasmobranch group, with gill slits and replaceable teeth. The zebra shark shares the defining anatomy and ancestry of sharks.
Electroreception: The detection of weak electrical fields using specialized sensory organs. Ampullae of Lorenzini help it locate prey hidden in sediment.

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