34 GIANT FISHES 



slender, streamlined, uniformly coloured body, or gulping 

 down large masses of planktonic life like the Whale Shark, 

 the Carpet Sharks rely on cunning to obtain their meals, and 

 make use of less strenuous but none the less effective methods 

 of feeding. A Carpet Shark spends most of its time on or 

 near the sea bottom, lying motionless among rocks and weeds 

 or half buried in sand or mud, until such time as a prospective 

 victim — a fish or crustacean — comes within reach of the 

 jaws. It is not built for speed, but any loss of swimming 

 power is amply compensated for by the remarkable resem- 

 blance of the Shark to its surroundings. When at rest it 

 looks for all the world like a rock or stone overgrown with 

 seaweed, and the flaps of skin on the head and round the 

 mouth, waving gently in the water or lying spread out on 

 the sand, enhance the deception, and at the same time help 

 to break up the outline and render the Shark less conspicuous. 



As a general rule Carpet Sharks are quite harmless, but 

 they will snap viciously when caught and have been known to 

 attack persons wading in shallow water. 



Little is known of their breeding habits, but they are 

 ovo-viviparous like their relatives the Nurse Sharks. A large 

 number of young is produced at a single birth. 



The small rough denticles in the skin, and its handsome varie- 

 gated pattern, makes it a favourite shagreen for decorative 

 purposes, and there is in consequence a considerable demand 

 for these Sharks. They have little or no value as food. 



ZEBRA SHARK. 



(Genus Stegostoma.) Fig. 18. 



The body is long, with its hinder part flattened from side 

 to side ; the head is short and blunt. There are some ridges 

 or keels running lengthwise along the back and sides. The 

 eyes are small and without folds below. The mouth is 

 straight, and is provided with many rows of small teeth, each 

 of which has 3 points. The spiracles are of moderate size 

 and are situated behind the eyes. The external gill-clefts 

 are fairly large, and the last 3 on each side are above the base 

 of the pectoral fin. The second dorsal fin is rather smaller 

 than the first, and is placed partly above and partly in front 



