Zebra Shark

Photo: Luis P. B. · CC BY-NC

Zebra sharks are benthic predators that rest motionless on sandy substrate during daylight hours and become active at night to hunt molluscs, crustaceans, and small fish hidden in reef crevices. Their slender flexible bodies allow them to squeeze into tight gaps inaccessible to other predators, occupying a unique foraging niche on the reef floor. Despite being individually site-faithful and commonly encountered, populations have declined sharply from targeted fishing and are now classified as endangered.