Zebra Shark Facts for Kids 12-22 By Theo Kruse CC BY-SA 3.0, Linkġ2. However, zebra sharks have also been observed in brackish and freshwater environments. Zebra sharks are sometimes mistaken for leopard sharks due to the fact that they are born dark brown with white bars across their body but grow into bright yellow with little black patches.ġ1. In aquaria, zebra sharks attain a maximum length of over 8 feet (2.5 m) and live for over 28 years.ġ0. Typically, zebra sharks are found on sand near coral and rocky reefs as deep as 63 meters (203 feet) (62 m).ĩ. The exception is Australia, where the species is regarded as Least Concern because of its extensive range and light fishing pressure.Įvery summer, hundreds of zebra sharks gather in the shallow seas off the coast of southeast Queensland.Ĩ. IUCN lists zebra sharks as globally Endangered because they are hunted for their flesh, fins, and liver oil (which is used to make vitamins). Adult zebra sharks are non-aggressive toward people and have few natural predators except larger shark species and humans.ħ. Pups are typically approximately 12 inches long at birth, while adults may reach heights of 12 feet.Ħ. Females may produce many eggs simultaneously, which they attach to underwater objects or the seafloor via sticky threads. The male zebra shark engages in courting by aggressively biting the female’s pectoral fins and tail.ĥ. They utilize their flexible bodies to squeeze into narrow crevices where their preferred prey is frequently hidden.Ĥ. Barbels, which are slender sensory organs that resemble cat whiskers and are positioned in front of their snouts, assist them to find prey. At night, they vigorously search reef cracks and holes for mollusks, crabs, and tiny bony fish.ĭuring the day, they are slow and are frequently observed resting on the ocean floor.ģ. Zebra sharks are born with stripes that are dark brown and golden.Īs zebra sharks mature, their stripes are replaced with little black spots on a tan body.Ģ. tigrinum Zebra Shark Facts for Kids 1-11ġ. Scientific Classification of Zebra Sharks Let’s learn about these fish in our article, zebra shark facts for kids. The zebra shark population is plummeting due to climate change and human activity. They spend their days resting and their evenings foraging and feeding on the ocean floor. Zebra sharks are calm fish that frequent tropical coral reefs.

Zebra shark location