Aug 9, 2021

Wobbegong Shark

'Wobbegong' [wob-ee-gong] is the common name given to several species of carpet sharks in the family Orectolobidae; called 'carpet sharks' because of their ruffled, rug-like appearance.

For this Shark Profile we'll cover the Spotted Wobbegong.

DID YOU KNOW:

The name ‘wobbegong’ has origins from Indigenous Australian peoples and is generally understood as meaning “living rock”.

Other species Include:

Bearded/Tasseled Wobbegong - (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon)

Spotted Wobbegong - (Orectolobus maculatus)

Japanese Wobbegong - (Orectolobus japonicus)

Banded/Ornate Wobbegong - (Orectolobus ornatus)

Gulf Wobbegong - (Orectolobus halei)

Northern Wobbegong - (Orectolobus wardi)

Dwarf Spotted Wobbegong - (Orectolobus parvimaculatus)

Floral Banded Wobbegong - (Orectolobus floridus)

Indonesian Wobbegong - (Orectolobus leptolineatus)

Western Wobbegong - (Orectolobus hutchinsi)

Network Wobbegong - (Orectolobus reticulatus)

Cobbler Wobbegong - (Sutorectus tentaculatus)

FAMILY: Orectolobidae

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Orectolobus maculatus

COMMON NAME: Spotted Wobbegong, Tassel Shark, Common Catshark

TYPE: Fish

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern

WATCH A WOBBIE ON THE GO NOW:

Video via: Australian Museum -

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SIZE:

Average size for the Wobbegong is 5-6 feet (1.5 to 1.8m) with maximum length recorded at 10.5 feet (3.2m). Scientists believe that Spotted Wobbegong mature at around 4 ft.

AVERAGE LIFE SPAN:

During breeding season (believed to happen around July based on captive species), females release chemical pheromones in the water to attract mates.

Wobbegongs reproduce via ovoviviparous method. A single female shark can birth over 30 pups a litter after a gestation period of 10-11 months! Pups are born in shallow coastal areas at a length of 9 in. (23 cm) looking like mini versions of their parents.

DID YOU KNOW:

Pups young leave their mother almost immediately after birth to avoid being eaten by her.

Juvenile wobbies are often found in estuaries, on seagrass beds or on low-profile reefs inshore from the usual habitats roamed by adults of the same species.

DISTRIBUTION:

Found in warm waters on the continental shelf from intertidal areas to depths of about 360 feet (110 m). Wobbegongs occur in estuaries, coral reefs, under piers and otherwise sandy bottoms in the Indian Ocean, around Southern and Western Australia, Japan and in the South China Sea.

This species is often encountered resting in near-shore caves during daylight hours; resting quietly on the bottom, these sharks are almost undetectable thanks to their spectacular camouflage.

DID YOU KNOW:

Wobbegongs have been sighted in tide pools and in water barely deep enough to cover their body!

DIET:

A nocturnal feeder and master of disguise, the Wobbie lies among the reef rocks in wait for an opportunity to ambush unwary invertebrates or bony fishes that stray too close. In fact, reef fishes have been known to nibble on this shark’s dermal lobes before being eaten - now that's some good camouflage!

Their hunting strategy consists of lying quietly in wait until a crab, lobster, octopus, reef fish or even smaller shark gets too close. Amazingly, individuals have also been observed slowly sneaking up on prey over long distances!

When suitable prey ventures within range (about 2ft from the shark’s head) the shark utilizes a lighting-fast strike, powerful pharyngeal suction and its long fang-like teeth to trap its prey and swallow it whole.

CONSERVATION:

Assessed by IUCN in 2015, most Wobbegong species reside in 'Least Concern' status, even though there is a notable population decline within their ranges.

On an Australia-wide basis, Wobbegongs are commonly caught in trawls, beach seines, gill nets, lobster pots and traps (often getting stuck while foraging for food), by hook-and-line and spearfishing. Unfortunately, these sharks are considered pests in the lobster industry because they squeeze themselves inside lobster traps to eat both the bait and the catch.

Even though Wobbegong fins have no known commercial value, in Australia, their meat/flesh is sold locally for human consumption through ‘fish and chips’ and fish markets.

Furthermore, this sharks' skin is increasingly sought as a source of leather. Sadly, the same variegated skin pattern that renders it nearly invisible in the wild makes it highly attractive to manufacturers of shark-skin purses, vests, belts, and hat-bands.

Despite Wobbegong species being relatively docile, sluggish-moving sharks, they should still be respected as wild animals and could be dangerous under the right circumstances; be sure to give them ample space to avoid serious injury.

This shark is considered an 'aggressive species' but they have been known to bite people if provoked. In most cases, bites result when the shark is stepped on or if someone steps too close to their mouth and may be mistaken for prey

According to The International Shark Attack File, there have been 4 confirmed unprovoked Spotted Wobbegong attacks on humans and 28 bites from wobbegongs of undetermined species. With the way their jaw is designed, this shark is often reluctant to let go once it bites, causing severe lacerations of loss of limbs.

Additionally, when threatened, sharks will thrash around when speared or caught in nets which can inflict serious damage. Yes, human-involved incidents with Wobbies including bites on divers, both provoked and unprovoked, have been reported. However, it is difficult to say which of these species was responsible or the exact circumstances that led to these interactions.

Remember: Whenever your in the presence of a wild animal such as a shark, ALWAYS give them space and let them be! NEVER touch or otherwise harass any wild animal.

Conservation Status of other Wobbegong Species:

Banded/Ornate Wobbegong - Least Concern (assessed 2015)

Cobbler Wobbegong - Least Concern (assessed 2015)

Dwarf Spotted Wobbegong - Least Concern (assessed 2015)

Floral Banded Wobbegong - Least Concern (assessed 2015)

Japanese Wobbegong - Least Concern (assessed 2020)

Network Wobbegong - Data Deficient (assessed 2015)

Northern Wobbegong - Least Concern (assessed 2015)

Ornate Wobbegong - Least Concern (assessed 2015)

Tasselled Wobbegong - Least Concern (assessed 2015)

Western Wobbegong - Least Concern (assessed 2015)

Commercial fishing is probably the main threats to this species in eastern Australia. In Western Australia, all sharks and rays are commercially protected under Western Australian law - the regulation restricts the retention of shark and ray products by commercial fishing vessels other than those operating in the State's managed shark fishery.