Species: Stegostoma tigrinum

Bundjalung name: Wadjam
Status (IUCN):  Endangered

Characteristics

• Length/size: 2.5m

• Colour: Dark spots on a pale body (“leopard” pattern), with 5 longitudinal ridges on their back. The young are dark with white stripes, resulting in the name “zebra shark” in some parts of the world. This juvenile colouration is a camouflage to protect the young from predators, perhaps making them easily confused with sea snakes. 

• Breeding/reproduction: These sharks are oviparous, meaning the females lay eggs (a dark capsule up to 17cm long, sometimes called “mermaid’s purses”). The eggs are attached to rocks using adhesive fibres and hatch after 4-6 months. Leopard sharks can switch from sexual to asexual reproduction, and have been documented to reproduce using parthenogenesis (aka virgin birth).
• Diet: Leopard sharks primarily eat molluscs & crustaceans, as well as small bony fishes, crushing their prey with their spiky, plate-like “teeth”.

Habitat: Found in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific (throughout northern Australia) usually in the coastal waters – from the intertidal zone to around 62m deep on coral reef, rubble and sandy bottoms. These sharks visit the Byron Bay Hope Spot, along the subtropical east coast of Australia, while the water is warm (December to April) and usually above 22 degrees.

Threats: Globally, these sharks are taken by commercial fisheries for food, liver oil (vitamins), shark fin soup and fishmeal. They’re susceptible to localised depletion and habitat loss since they stick to shallow habitats. Within Australia, the population is listed as Least Concern as the only documented threat is a low level of bycatch by prawn trawls.