Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark
Stegostoma tigrinum
Overview
As juveniles, these sharks have black and white bands, hence their former common name, ‘zebra shark,’ but as they mature, their coloration changes to a pale yellow or tan body covered in dark leopard-like spots.
They measure between 6.6ft and 8.91ft long with females generally larger than males, and weigh between 66lb to 110lb.
- Found in
- Indo-Pacific reefs and lagoons
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Orectolobiformes
- Family
- Stegostomatidae
- Genus
- Stegostoma
Animal Spotlight - Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark
Meet the Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark! Build awesome aquariums for these beautiful animals in Planet Zoo 2...
Watch nowConservation Status
The Indo-Pacific leopard shark is classified as Endangered. Historically abundant in tropical coral reef and lagoon habitats throughout the Indo-Pacific, the species has suffered sharp population declines due to overfishing, particularly for its meat, fins, and liver oil. It is often caught as bycatch when targeting other marine animals. Its slow growth, late sexual maturity, and low reproductive rate make it especially vulnerable to exploitation. It is further threatened by degradation of coral reef ecosystems caused by coastal development, pollution, and climate change.
Marine protected areas (MPAs) safeguard critical reef habitats and nursery zones. Public aquariums maintain successful captive breeding programs, reducing wild capture and providing valuable data on reproduction, growth, and health. Education programs raise awareness of the species among coastal communities, while international trade in the species is regulated and monitored.
While challenges remain, efforts to improve fisheries management, habitat protection, and public engagement offer hope for the long-term survival of the Indo-Pacific leopard shark.
- Wild Population
- Unknown
- Conservation Status
- Vulnerable
Animal Facts
- Unlike many shark species, Indo-Pacific leopard sharks do not need to swim to breathe and may remain stationary for hours while breathing through ‘buccal pumping’.
- Indo-Pacific leopard sharks have crushing teeth and prefer to feed on hard-shelled prey like crustaceans and mollusks.
- The long, flexible body of the Indo-Pacific leopard shark allows them to get into small crevices in the reef to feed.
- The eggs of the Indo-Pacific leopard shark are very large, each one measures 6.8in to 8.8in long.
- Indo-Pacific leopard sharks are very slow swimmers and are usually cruising at speeds of 1mph.
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Social & Reproduction
Indo-Pacific leopard sharks are usually solitary, but may gather in large groups on occasion for reasons unknown.
The Indo-Pacific leopard can breed year-round. During mating, males grasp the females using their claspers to initiate copulation. Unlike some shark species, the Indo-Pacific leopard shark lays eggs rather than giving birth to live young. Females are known to store sperm for extended periods, allowing fertilization to occur long after mating; a trait that has led to successful reproduction in isolated females within aquariums.
Females typically lay eggs in pairs, encased in large, tough, fibrous egg capsules that anchor to the seafloor or reef structures. Eggs incubate for 4 to 6 months, depending on water temperature, after which fully formed juvenile sharks hatch, measuring around 8in to 10in in length.
Leopard sharks grow slowly and have a relatively long lifespan, living up to 25 to 30 years in captivity. They reach sexual maturity at approximately 6 to 8 years for males and 8 to 10 years for females, when they reach a size of around 4.95ft to 6.6ft. Growth continues gradually even after maturity, although it slows significantly with age.