Leopard Shark

Photo: Luis P. B. · CC BY-NC

Leopard sharks (also called zebra sharks as adults, when the juvenile stripes resolve into spots) rest motionless on the sandy bottom adjacent to Kimud Shoal's pinnacle base, often partially tucked under reef ledges. They are benthic predators feeding on mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish, and pose no threat to divers. Their spotted skin and long caudal fin make them unmistakable. Vulnerable due to slow reproduction and reef habitat dependence — Kimud Shoal's distance from fishing villages gives resident individuals a degree of protection.