Tasselled Wobbegong Shark
Scientific name...........Eucrossorhinus Dasypogon
Family name..............Orectolobidae
Tasselled wobbegongs are an unusual shark and are distinguished by
flattened elongated bodies, very broad, flat, head which is highly
patterned and well-camouflaged. They have many branched dermal lobes
on their head which the edge looks like it is fringed and beard-like
on the chin.
The Tasselled Wobbegong is one of smaller wobbegongs of the 7
species, reaching approximately 48 inches long. At birth they
measure about 8 1/2 inches.
The mouth is studded with sharp, narrow teeth.
Tasselled wobbegongs have two color patterns; one with a network of
tan lines on a gray background, or dark brown lines , on a light
brown background.
At night they feed on bottom fishes, possibly invertebrates.
Wobbegongs are known to ambush, stalk and lure their prey and use a
quick strike to catch their prey, because their jaws are very
capacious it enables them to capture large prey. When it captures a
larger prey, it holds it in its vise-like jaws until subdued.
They are nocturnal, possibly solitary. This species rest by day with
curled tail on bottom of caves and under ledges.
Southwest Pacific: Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia. They live on
the bottom of warm temperate to tropical seas, often found on rocky
and coral reefs. They are commonly found in caves, or beneath ledges
during the day time.
Tasselled wobbegongs are presumed to be ovoviparous.
They can have a potentially dangerous bite if provoked, captured or
disturbed.
Common.
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