Tasselled Wobbegong

Shark

Eucrossorhinus dasypogon

Max Size

Body Length 1,25 metres

Detail Information

Ambush predators of the seabed with unique beard-like head fringe.

Unique appearance

Tasselled wobbegongs are famous for their unique appearance. They have a broad, flat head with upward-facing eyes. They have distinctive dermal fringes around their head that resemble a beard, giving them a remarkably unusual appearance.

Tasselled wobbegongs have a flat body typical of carpet sharks. They have a brown body patterned with dark lines, spots, and saddle-like blotches which help them camouflage among coral rubble and algae.

Hiding on the seafloor

Tasselled wobbegongs can be found in tropical waters, particularly on shallow coral reefs up to 50 metres deep. As bottom-dwelling sharks, they live on the seafloor and prey on bottom-dwelling fishes and invertebrates.

Tasselled wobbegongs are nocturnal predators that are primarily active at night. They hunt by lying motionless in camouflage or waving their tail as a lure to attract their prey (caudal luring). When prey comes within reach, they rapidly open their wide jaws to create a powerful suction that pulls the prey into their mouth.

Tasselled wobbegongs are known to prey on other sharks, and may bite humans if disturbed or accidentally stepped on.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class – Subclass: Chondrichthyes – Elasmobranchii
Order: Orectolobiformes (carpet sharks)
Family: Orectolobidae (wobbegong sharks)
Species: Eucrossorhinus dasypogon

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