Zebra Shark

Children's Literature - Judy Crowder

Even without its telltale stripes and spots (thus its name) the zebra shark is a real standout. Why? This book, part of Capstone Press' "Shark Zone" series, includes all sorts of characteristics that make this fish special. First, size: they grow to an average of six feet, but some grow as long as twenty-three feet. Zebra sharks like warmer waters of the Indian and western Pacific oceans. Their coloring helps camouflage them on the sea floor, where they hunt or rest. Zebra sharks are well equipped at hunting their prey since their long, slim bodies enable them to slip into cracks and crevices hunting mollusks, shrimp, crabs and small fish. Barbells (whiskery feelers on the sides of its mouth) help these sharks find prey, while up to thirty-four teeth in each jaw dispatch its prey easily. This book, with its colorful photo illustrations and clean, clear text, does a good job of pointing out the characteristics peculiar to zebra sharks. Most interesting is the fact that zebra sharks prop themselves up on their pectoral fins on the sea floor, so that water can easily flow into its mouth and over gills, helping it to breathe. The author points out that, while zebra sharks are not considered dangerous to humans (they will bite if scared, however) humans are the biggest danger to these reef hunters, since fishermen catch them for food (and shark fin soup) as well as sport. Young readers should know a lot about zebra sharks after reading the book, which contains a glossary, index, a list of books to read plus a child-appropriate web site. Reviewer: Judy Crowder