Other Names

• Banded Wobbegong
• Ornate Wobbegong
• Carpetshark

General Description

A large robust flattened shark with a very ornate colour pattern; nasal barbels brached; branched dermal lobes along the side of the head and 5-6 before the eye; two tubercles above the eye, but no tubercles along back. Yellowish-brown to greyish-brown with darker, deeply scalloped saddles, each with a black-spotted border; a prominent white spot behind each spiracle; underside pale. To at least 2.1 m.

Biology

Despite appearing sedentary, wobbegongs have sharp, dagger-like teeth and can inflict very painful injuries if disturbed. They are usually nocturnal, seen resting under ledges and in caves during the day. They feed on fishes, octopus and crustaceans, and are commercially fished, especially off New South Wales. Females give birth to live young.

Habitat

Shallow coastal to inshore continental shelf waters, in depths to 100 m.

Reefs

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Sharks and rays › Sharks

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

2.1 m

Diet

Carnivore

Harmful

Sharp dagger-like teeth can inflict painful injuries.

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Near Threatened