shark species called leopard shark shark species carpet shark sole member family found tropical coral reefs sandy flats depth adult sharks distinctive appearance longitudinal ridges cylindrical body low caudal fin comprising nearly half total length pattern dark spots pale background young sharks long completely different pattern consisting light vertical stripes brown background lack ridges species length sharks nocturnal spend day resting sea floor night actively hunt crustaceans small bony fishes possibly sea snakes inside holes reef solitary year form large seasonal shark females produce dozen large egg anchor underwater structures humans hardy captivity sharks popular subjects public assessed species vulnerable worldwide taken commercial fisheries range australia meat fins liver oil evidence numbers taxonomy shark described type specimen designated included comprehensive description latin accurate illustration juvenile placed species genus specific epithet form masculine work rejected favor shark consistently use nomenclature species descriptions view proper usage making junior synonym currently wide usage species genus derived greek meaning covered meaning mouth specific epithet means banded referring striped pattern juvenile juvenile coloration origin common shark leopard shark applied spotted adult usually refers tiger shark different color patterns body proportions juveniles historically described separate species respectively phylogeny robust morphological support placement shark whale shark nurse sharks single clade taxa disputed authors suggested whale shark closest relative shark proposed single family encompassing species clade suggested affinity species clade containing placed shark sister group clade containing description shark cylindrical body large slightly flattened head short blunt snout eyes small placed sides head located large larger short gill slits situated pectoral fin bases fourth fifth slits closer short groove running mouth mouth nearly straight lower lip furrows corners tooth rows upper jaw tooth rows lower jaw tooth large central flanked smaller ones distinctive ridges running body adults dorsal sides dorsal ridge merges dorsal fin placed halfway body twice size second dorsal fin pectoral fins large broad pelvic anal fins smaller larger second dorsal fin caudal fin long rest body barely developed lower lobe strong ventral notch near tip upper lobe shark length record males females size color pattern young sharks dark brown light yellow vertical yellow stripes spots shark grows long dark areas begin break changing general pattern light dark stripes dark light spots substantial variation pattern adults identify particular individuals partially shark completely lacking spots discovered indian_ocean shark long mature female unusual animals rarely survive long wild lack distribution habitat shark occurs tropical waters south_africa red_sea including madagascar india southeast_asia including indonesia philippines northward taiwan japan eastward southward northern australia dwelling nature shark found zone depth continental shelves adults large juveniles frequent coral reefs rubble sandy areas reports species fresh water philippines sharks cross oceanic waters reach isolated movements recorded individual sharks genetic data indicates little exchange populations sharks ranges biology ecology day sharks sluggish usually found resting sea pectoral fins prop bodies facing current mouths open facilitate reef channels favored resting spots space yields faster water active night food available sharks strong swimmers pronounced like body tail steady current seen place waves tails shark feeds primarily shelled takes crustaceans small bony fishes possibly sea snakes slender flexible body shark allows narrow holes search food small mouth cavity allow create powerful force extract prey species preyed larger fishes marine mammals known parasites shark include species genus sharks usually solitary individuals recorded southeast queensland sharks form summer shallow water consist entirely large adults females males purpose unclear definite mating behavior observed sharks observation adult male shark biting pectoral fin adult male pushing sea floor second male turned remained minutes behavior resembles pre behaviors male female sharks cases biting holding pectoral fin speculated relate shark asserting dominance life history courtship behavior shark consists male following female biting vigorously pectoral fins tail periods holds pectoral fin sharks lie occasion leads mating male body female lasts minutes shark females laying large egg measuring long wide thick egg case dark brown purple color hair like fibers sides secure substrate fibers emerge female vent female circles vertical structures reef fibers anchor eggs females documented laying eggs day period eggs deposited reproductive wild unknown captivity eggs hatch months depending temperature measure long longer tails adults habitat preferences juveniles unclear report places depths greater report india suggests inhabit shallower water adults stripes juveniles anti predator function making individual group harder target males attain sexual maturity long females long lifespan estimated years wild single report female producing young human interactions slow moving sharks dangerous humans easily approached underwater divers pull tails attempt ride record attack international shark attack file injuries resulted popular attractions divers red_sea thailand islands great barrier reef sharks diving sites accustomed presence humans taking food divers hands allowing touched shark captivity displayed number public world small colored young find way hands private species grows far large home shark taken commercial fisheries range meat sold fresh dried human consumption furthermore liver oil fins shark fin soup sharks highly susceptible localized shallow habitat low levels dispersal populations market surveys suggest common past threatened degradation coral reef habitat human development destructive fishing practices poisoning result assessed species vulnerable australia threat species low level assessed concern
Zebra shark