[Soar]

Wobbegong is the common name given to the 12 species of carpet sharks in the family Orectolobidae. They are found in shallow temperate and tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean and eastern Indian Ocean, chiefly around Australia and Indonesia, although one species (the Japanese wobbegong, Orectolobus japonicus) occurs as far north as Japan.

The word wobbegong is believed to come from an Australian Aboriginal language, meaning "shaggy beard", referring to the growths around the mouth of the shark of the western Pacific.

Wobbegongs are bottom-dwelling sharks and spend much of their time resting on the sea floor. Most species have a maximum length of 1.25 metres (4.1 ft) or less, but the largest, the spotted wobbegong and banded wobbegong, reach about 3 metres (9.8 ft) in length.

Wobbegongs are well camouflaged with a symmetrical pattern of bold markings which resembles a carpet. Because of this striking pattern, wobbegongs and their close relatives are often referred to as carpet sharks.

The camouflage is improved by the presence of small weed like whiskers lobes surrounding the wobbegong jaw, which it uses to entice and catch fish.

Wobbegongs make use of their relative invisibility to hide among rocks and catch smaller fish which swim too close, typical of ambush predators.

Wobbegongs are generally not dangerous unless they are provoked. They have bitten people who accidentally step on them in shallow water; they may also bite scuba divers or snorkellers who poke or touch them, or who block their escape route. Wobbegongs are very flexible and can easily bite a hand that is holding on to their tail.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wobbegong

[güttsfükk]

cool

[Blu]

I used to visit a family owned pet store about 10 years back that had two of these in a gigantic low tank that took up about 1/3 of the whole store. They weren't for sale, the owner was afraid nobody would ever be able to care for them as well as he could, they were very peaceful to watch though.

[Hoppynz]

cool post. caught a couple of these while fishing over the years. They do put up hell of a fight

[Soar]

Originally Posted by Hoppynz ↗

cool post. caught a couple of these while fishing over the years. They do put up hell of a fight

I've never hooked one. A buddy of mine took some great pics last time he was diving.

I'll see if I can get them off him.

[Dynamo47]

Beautiful animals. Love the various camouflage patterns.