Spotted wobbegong shark
COMMON NAME: Spotted Wobbegong Shark
LATIN NAME: Orectolobus maculatus
FAMILY: Orectolobidae
In the exhibition: the spotted wobbegong shark is one of the stars in Nausicaa’s new “Island Stories” exhibition. Carpet sharks are very poor swimmers, as are their young. They are only found close to the coasts of Australia and have been living there for millions of years. The special conditions that exist there have caused this species to adapt in a most particular, possibly unique way. Totally camouflaged within its environment, the carpet shark lets its prey approach and then swallows it whole.
Distribution: in the South China Sea (south of Japan) and on the Australian coast.
Habitat: on the sea bed in coastal waters and in coral caves in tropical and temperate regions, in waters up to 110m deep. Juveniles also live in estuaries and aquatic plant habitats.
Diet: small bony or cartilaginous fish (including their own species) and benthic invertebrates (crustaceans and cephalopods living on the sea bed).
Size: it can reach up to 3.2 metres long.
Reproduction: the spotted wobbegong shark is oviparous, which means that the eggs are produced and initially hatch inside the female’s stomach, where they continue to grow. When the babies each measure roughly 20 centimetres they are born into the water. A female can give birth to around 40 individuals.
Threats and protective measures: this shark is considered by the IUCN to be semi-endangered. It has been the subject of preservation measures since 2006.
http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/41837/0
Trainer’s anecdote: at the moment Nausicaa has a grouper living with a carpet shark. The grouper comes and presses up against it. This behaviour probably enables it to get rid of its parasites by rubbing up against the shark’s rough skin.
Special features and ability to take up a place in the ecosystem: unlike the energetic open water sharks that swim continuously close to the surface looking for food, the spotted wobbegong shark spends its life resting on the sea bed, well camouflaged, waiting for its food to pass close by. The animal may also live in groups.
The spotted wobbegong shark and man: its flesh is very popular in Australia. Over the last twenty years, fishing of the species has declined to a great extent. It can be potentially dangerous to man, especially if it feels as if it is under attack (if someone walks on it or harpoons it).
Sources
Books:
G. VAN GREVELYNGHE, A. DIRINGER, B. SERET. Tous les Requins du monde. 300 espèces des mers du globe. Ed. Delachaux & Niestlé, 1999. Coll. Encyclopédies du Naturaliste, p 147.
E. LIESKE, R.F. MYERS. Adapt. Y BOUCHON-NAVARO. Guide des poissons des récifs coralliens. Ed. Delachaux & Niestlé, 2005, pp 26-27
COUPE Sheena et Robert, SAINT-GIRONS HARRIS Anne (Trad.). La petite Encyclopédie des requins. Ed. Bordas, 1991. Coll. Petite Encyclopédie des Animaux
Sites :
UICN
http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/41837/0
Florida Museum of Natural History
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/gallery/descript/spotwobbegong/spotwobbegong.html
