Wobbegong facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wobbegongs Temporal range: Upper Jurassic–Recent PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N
Spotted wobbegong, Orectolobus maculatus, showing the camouflage pattern and skin flaps typical of wobbegongs
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Order:	Orectolobiformes
Family:	Orectolobidae T. N. Gill, 1896
Genera
Eucrossorhinus Orectolobus Sutorectus

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.

Name

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.

Appearance

Wobbegongs are masters of disguise. Their flattened bodies and mottled coloration – a mix of browns, tans, and often reddish or yellowish tones – allow them to perfectly mimic the seabed. They come in a wide variety of patterns and colors, depending on the species and their environment. This amazing camouflage helps them sneak up on unsuspecting prey, but it also helps protect them from larger predators.

Some wobbegongs have intricate patterns that look like rocks and coral, while others have bolder markings that help them blend into seagrass beds. Their skin texture is also rough and bumpy, adding to their camouflage effect.

Their bodies are generally wide and flat, which helps them lie perfectly still on the ocean floor. Their mouths are located on the underside of their heads, and their eyes are positioned on top, giving them excellent vision both above and below. Their tails are quite long and powerful, which they use for swimming and maneuvering. Wobbegongs typically range in size from around 3 feet (1 meter) to almost 10 feet (3 meters) long, depending on the species. The largest wobbegongs can weigh over 500 pounds (225 kilograms)!

Habitat and distribution

Wobbegongs are found in a range of shallow-water habitats, from tropical coral reefs to temperate rocky reefs and seagrass beds. They prefer areas with plenty of crevices and hiding places, where they can ambush their prey. As mentioned before, their geographic range covers the coastal waters of Australia, New Guinea, and parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Different species prefer different habitats within this range; some stick close to the coast, while others venture further offshore.

Diet

Wobbegongs are ambush predators, meaning they lie in wait for their prey to come close before striking. They use their camouflage to blend in with the surroundings, making it almost impossible for prey to spot them. Their diet consists primarily of small fish, crustaceans (like crabs and shrimps), and cephalopods (like squid and octopus). They’re not particularly fast swimmers, so their ambush tactics are essential for successful hunting.

Their teeth are adapted for gripping and holding onto prey. They have multiple rows of teeth, and if one tooth breaks, another one moves forward to replace it. This ensures they always have a sharp set of teeth for catching food.

Behavior

Wobbegongs are generally solitary creatures, preferring to spend their time alone. They are mostly active at night, venturing out from their hiding places to hunt. During the day, they typically rest in crevices or under rocks, perfectly camouflaged and conserving energy. While mostly solitary hunters, they aren't aggressive towards humans. However, they can deliver a painful bite if they feel threatened, so it's always best to admire them from a safe distance.

Reproduction

Wobbegongs are ovoviviparous, meaning the eggs develop inside the mother's body, and the young are born live. The number of pups in a litter varies depending on the species, and more research is needed to fully understand their reproductive behaviors. It’s a slow and fascinating process, and scientists are still learning a lot about wobbegong reproduction. We know that the pups are fully developed when they are born and are able to hunt for themselves relatively quickly. This is quite different from many other types of sharks that lay eggs or have very different birthing processes.

Conservation status

Unfortunately, several wobbegong species are facing various threats, including habitat destruction, pollution, and fishing. Many wobbegongs are accidentally caught in fishing nets intended for other species – a sad but common problem for many types of sharks. Because of their slow reproductive rates, wobbegong populations can take a long time to recover from these threats. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these amazing creatures, including research to better understand their populations and implementing measures to reduce bycatch (unintentional capture) in fisheries.

Genera and species

Orectolobus leptolineatus

The 12 living species of wobbegong, in three genera, are:

• Genus Eucrossorhinus Regan, 1908
  • Eucrossorhinus dasypogon (Bleeker, 1867) (tasselled wobbegong)
  • †Eucrossorhinus microcuspidatus Case 1978
• Genus Orectolobus Bonaparte, 1834
  • Orectolobus floridus Last & Chidlow, 2008 (floral banded wobbegong)
  • Orectolobus halei Whitley, 1940. (Gulf wobbegong or banded wobbegong)
  • Orectolobus hutchinsi Last, Chidlow & Compagno, 2006. (western wobbegong)
  • Orectolobus japonicus Regan, 1906 (Japanese wobbegong)
  • Orectolobus leptolineatus Last, Pogonoski & W. T. White, 2010 (Indonesian wobbegong)
  • Orectolobus maculatus (Bonnaterre, 1788) (spotted wobbegong)
  • Orectolobus ornatus (De Vis, 1883) (ornate wobbegong)
  • Orectolobus parvimaculatus Last & Chidlow, 2008 (dwarf spotted wobbegong)
  • Orectolobus reticulatus Last, Pogonoski & W. T. White, 2008 (network wobbegong)
  • Orectolobus wardi Whitley, 1939 (northern wobbegong)
• Genus Sutorectus Whitley, 1939
  • Sutorectus tentaculatus (W. K. H. Peters, 1864) (cobbler wobbegong)

Fossil genera include:

• Eometlaouia Noubhani & Cappetta, 2002

See also

In Spanish: Orectolóbidos para niños

• List of sharks