How Do You Spot A Zebra Shark?
Harmless to humans, zebra sharks sometimes even allow divers a close approach. Zebra sharks provide a perfect subject for underwater photographers. Closely related to epaulette sharks, nurse sharks and whale sharks, people often confuse them with the leopard shark, a smaller, cold-water shark. To spot a zebra shark, follow these steps. Look for zebra sharks inshore and offshore at coral reefs. They tend to rest on the ocean floor in shallow waters up to 100-feet deep, with their mouths open facing the current. Zebra sharks inhabit warm waters in the western Pacific, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Watch for a long, sleek shark measuring up to 11 feet in length. Young zebra sharks display vertical lines of black or dark brown and cream to white, hence their name. As adults, they exhibit dense black spots on a cream, yellow or greenish-yellow background. Examine the zebra shark for a caudal or tail fin almost as long as its body. It has a small mouth but a large snout, which has barbels to
