Carpet shark | Facts & Information

# Carpet Shark | Facts & Information

Carpet Shark | Discover Fascinating Facts and Information About Carpet Shark

The carpet shark (Orectolobus maculatus) or Wobbegong is part of the family Orectolobidae, order Orectolobiformes.

Subspecies carpet shark (Wobbegong):

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Carpet Shark

Carpet Shark

The Carpet Shark - The Mysterious Predator of the Depths

From the dark depths of the oceans, emerges a mysterious and fascinating predator - the Carpet Shark. This captivating creature belongs to the Chondrichthyes family and is scientifically known as Rhinobatos horkelii. Its common name, Carpet Shark, comes from its unique appearance, resembling a carpet with beautiful and intricate patterns.

The Carpet Shark mainly inhabits tropical and temperate waters, particularly in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea. It prefers to hide near the ocean floor, in areas with abundant vegetation and rocks, where it can perfectly camouflage itself thanks to its unique design. It can also be found in coastal regions, where the tropical and subtropical climates originate.

The external appearance of the Carpet Shark is impressive. Its flat and elongated body is entirely covered in valuable skin and has a beautiful design, with multiple spots and intricate lines. Its surface is smooth and soft to the touch, truly resembling a carpet. This distinctive physical characteristic makes it easy to recognize and also provides protection against natural predators.

The Carpet Shark is a relatively small species compared to other types of sharks. Its average length is around 1.5 meters, although there can be larger specimens reaching up to 2 meters in length. The average weight is approximately 8-10 kilograms, although there are known massive individuals that can reach 15 kilograms. Sharks of this type can live up to 20 years, being animals with considerable longevity in their natural habitat.

The Carpet Shark is a nocturnal predator and prefers to hunt during the night. Its main food source consists of crustaceans, such as crabs and shrimps, which it finds abundantly in its natural habitats. However, this shark also consumes small fish, mollusks, and other small marine organisms that live near the ocean floor. With the help of its highly developed sensory system and quick movements, the Carpet Shark easily captures its prey and remains a formidable predator in the depths of the ocean.

The Carpet Shark is a solitary species and moves at a relatively slow pace. However, when it feels threatened or potentially aggressed, it can reach considerable speeds and perform spectacular leaps out of the water. Nevertheless, these extraordinary behaviors are not commonly observed in their natural environment and can be considered exceptional.

The population of Carpet Sharks is threatened by several factors, including overfishing and larger natural predators. Because these sharks live near coastlines and in coastal areas, they are more exposed to human pressures and anthropic activities. Although efforts are being made to protect natural habitats and maintain a stable population, the Carpet Shark remains a vulnerable species and therefore requires more attention.

The Carpet Shark is a fascinating creature of the ocean depths, reminding us of the beauty and diversity of the creatures that inhabit our waters. Its unique design and distinct appearance define it and make it a mysterious and captivating predator. However, in order to admire and appreciate this wonderful species, it is important to protect their natural environment and be aware of the importance of conserving marine ecosystems.

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Animals

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Facts

Origin

It can be found in the China Sea, the sea of Japan, the Yellow Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean, Indonesia and New Guinea. It inhabits shallow reef waters.

Wobbegong is the common name for 12 species of carpet shark. Most are found in the Pacific and Indian oceans.

It can be found in foreign literature and specialty by scientific name or by the following names: Carpet Shark, Common Carpet Shark, Common Catshark, Tassel Shark, Wobbegong.

Feeding Carpet Shark

The carpet shark hunts most at night. The method most often used for capturing prey is ambush. It is not the classic ambush in which the predator chases its prey and rather a panda.

It camouflages itself almost perfectly and waits until the fish come close to it then catches them by surprise. He's an opportunist. Lurks a variety of fish. On the dorsal side you can see the dorsal fins. The pelvic fins are wide and very large. Also on the side are the five gills.

Wobbegong's food consists of octopuses, squids, crabs, various species of Fish and marine invertebrates.

Appearance Carpet Shark

The carpet shark is 1-2 meters long and weighs kg. Most species are less than 2 meters long, but there are also specimens that can exceed 3 meters. The flat body perfectly camouflages itself on the bottom of the water.

The rounded snout is provided with fleshy mustache-like protrusions. The mouth has a large opening to grab fish of larger sizes. Skin color varies from Gray, greenish or brownish depending on the species. The tail is long.

Eucrossorhinus dasypogon (tasselled wobbegong)

Orectolobus floridus (floral banded wobbegong)

Orectolobus halei (Gulf wobbegong or banded wobbegong)

Orectolobus hutchinsi (western wobbegong)

Orectolobus japonicus (Japanese wobbegong)

Orectolobus leptolineatus (Indonesian wobbegong)

Orectolobus maculatus (spotted wobbegong)

Orectolobus ornatus (ornate wobbegong)

Orectolobus parvimaculatus (dwarf spotted wobbegong)

Orectolobus reticulatus (network wobbegong)

Orectolobus wardi (northern wobbegong)

Sutorectus tentaculatus (wobbegong cobbler)

Carpet Shark Behavior

The carpet shark or Wobbegong as it is also known poses no danger to humans. It sits motionless on the bottom of the water even when it is being filmed because it trusts its camouflage and thinks it is not being noticed.

If it is stepped on or touched, it returns and retaliates with a strong, painful and serious bite.

Apart from humans the carpet shark has few predators in its natural environment.

Carpet Shark Breeding

The carpet shark is attracted to the female when she releases pheromones into the water. As with other shark species, the male grabs the female with his teeth during the mating act.

It reproduces viviparously. After mating the female gives birth to 20 to 35 Cubs. After the gestation period that can last up to two years.

The chicks are 20cm long. Sexual maturity is reached at 0.5 – 1.2 meters in length.

Life expectancy is unknown, but given the Wobbegong's low number of predators it is assumed that it has a long life.

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Carpet shark | Facts & InformationCarpet Shark | Discover Fascinating Facts and Information About Carpet Shark