What is the scientific name of the zebra shark?

The scientific name of the zebra shark is Stegostoma tigrinum. It is a carpet shark and the only living member of the family Stegostomatidae, found across tropical parts of the Indo-Pacific.

The name reflects a striking life-stage change. Young zebra sharks have dark and pale vertical stripes, which inspired the common name, while adults usually develop a pale body covered with dark spots. This can cause confusion with the leopard shark, a different houndshark species found mainly in the eastern Pacific.

Taxonomists historically used names such as Stegostoma fasciatum and Stegostoma varium. A 2019 taxonomic review argued that Stegostoma tigrinum, based on the older 1781 name Squalus tigrinus, should be treated as the valid name. The species is nocturnal, rests on the seabed by day, and uses its slender body to search reef crevices for molluscs, crustaceans, and small fishes.