A Guest at Shark School

At our Shark School, visitors can see animals from five different shark species — including the zebra shark. The species is represented by a male shark named Phileas, but recently, visitors to the Shark School have had the opportunity to spot a female zebra shark as well. This new zebra shark has come to stay with us from the Campona Tropicarium while her tank there is being renovated. The female zebra shark is 3 and a half years old, having hatched on December 25, 2021 — Christmas Day — at the Nausicaá National Sea Centre in France. When she arrived, our team took precise measurements of her: she is 163 cm in length, weighs 17.6 kg, and has a fin span of exactly 60 cm.

The keepers carefully observed how she settled into her new temporary home and how she responded to the other residents of the Shark School. When she arrived, she immediately swam around the tank, exploring every corner of her new environment thoroughly. After a little initial hesitation, which is completely normal, she quickly got used to her new home, started swimming more confidently, and began getting to know the other animals. Phileas, our zebra shark, seemed to be very welcoming toward the new roommate. Zebra sharks are relatively easy to distinguish from other shark species, and it’s also quite simple to tell apart the two zebra sharks currently residing in the tank. Phileas, our male, is a darker zebra shark, while the newly arrived guest has a much lighter shade.

The zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum) is a species of particular evolutionary significance within the shark family, which consists of nearly five hundred species. It is unique in that there are no closely related species, making it the only member of the zebra shark family. The zebra shark, out of the five species presented at the Shark School, has the most critical conservation status, which is why it is categorized as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The zebra shark derives its name because the young sharks have striped pattern, much like zebras. However, the stripes eventually break up and transform into spots, which can be seen on adult sharks.

This animal is found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from the coasts of East Africa to Australia, and even in the waters surrounding Palau. It generally prefers shallow coastal waters, particularly around coral reefs, and areas with sandy, flat seafloor at depths of a few dozen meters. On rare occasions, the zebra shark may also venture into open ocean. Despite being a skilled swimmer, it frequently rests on the seabed. Even when resting, its body position is quite characteristic. It typically supports itself on its pectoral fins, with its head raised, positioning itself against the current. This allows the flowing water to bring oxygen-rich water to its gills. The zebra shark primarily feeds on various molluscs and crustaceans. It is skilled at crushing its prey with hard shells, and its teeth are specifically adapted for this task. Besides molluscs and crustaceans, smaller fish are also on the zebra shark’s menu. Like most sharks, it poses no threat to humans.

Our Zoo has a long tradition of exhibiting marine animals, being the first public aquarium in Hungary where the audience has been able to observe live marine animals since 1912. Today, the Aquarium under the Palm House mostly showcases freshwater species, while the main spot for marine animals has been the Shark School, which opened in 2018. The importance of displaying and teaching about marine life has grown significantly in recent years, especially since the United Nations declared the period between 2021 and 2030 as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. This program focuses on encouraging research that is crucial for effectively protecting our seas and oceans. At the same time, an important aspect of the Decade of Oceans is the promotion of knowledge related to seas, oceans and marine life. Since this has been a key focus at our Zoo for a long time, we’ve also joined the United Nations Decade of Oceans.