Why does the Stegostoma tigrinum earn the common name zebra shark?
Answer
Because newborn pups have dark bodies overlaid with bright, vertical stripes.
The common name 'zebra shark' is derived specifically from the appearance of the juvenile stage of the *Stegostoma tigrinum*. Newborn individuals possess a dramatic pattern consisting of dark brown or black bodies contrasted sharply with bright, light-colored vertical stripes running across them. This striped pattern is crucial for their early survival, serving as a form of camouflage that mimics the appearance of a venomous sea snake to deter potential predators while the young shark is most vulnerable. As the animal matures, this distinct juvenile pattern is entirely replaced by spots.
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