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Step 1
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.
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Step 2
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.
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Step 3
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 feel out prey. Its tiny eyes sit on the sides of its head. Zebra sharks' have average sized pectoral fins and low, long dorsal fins.
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Step 4
Identify a zebra shark's dentition from its jaws, located on the bottom of its head. When swimming, these jaws retract into its head to aid in swift swimming. When feeding, the zebra shark drops its jaw down to scoop up prey. Their teeth are small, each with one tall spike flanked by two small spikes.
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Step 5
Note the zebra shark's diet and feeding habits. Nocturnal hunters, they are slow swimmers but excellent at wriggling into reef crevices and holes to trap their prey. They prefer small fish, snails, crabs, clams, shrimp and sea urchins.
