(Orectolobidae)
Wobbegongs
Килимові акули
Wobbegong is the common name given to the 12 species of carpet shark 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, although one species (the Japanese wobbegong, Orectolobus japonicus) occurs as far north as Japan.
The word wobbegong is thought to come from an Australian Aboriginal language and means shaggy beard, referring to the growths around the mouth of the shark.
Wobbegongs are bottom-dwelling sharks, spending much of their time resting on the sea floor. Most species have a maximum length of 1.25 m, but the largest, the spotted wobbegong, Orectolobus maculatus, and banded wobbegong, Orectolobus halei, reach about 3 m in length.
Wobbegongs are well camouflaged by a symmetrical pattern of bold markings resembling a carpet. Because of this striking pattern, wobbegongs and their close relatives are often referred to as carpet sharks.
The camouflage is improved by the presence of small, weed-like whisker lobes surrounding the wobbegong’s jaw, which help to camouflage it and act as sensory barbs. Wobbegongs make use of their camouflage to hide among rocks and catch smaller fish that swim too close, typical of ambush predators. Wobbegongs also have powerful jaws with needle-like teeth to assist in catching reef fish and other sharks for food. The blood cells of several species of wobbegongs have been described.
Wobbegongs are generally not considered dangerous to humans but have attacked swimmers, snorkelers, and scuba-divers, who inadvertently come close to them. The Australian Shark Attack File contains more than 50 records of unprovoked attacks by wobbegongs and the International Shark Attack File has 31 records, none of them fatal. Wobbegongs have also bitten surfers. Wobbegongs are very flexible and can easily bite a hand holding their tail. They have many small but sharp teeth and their bite can be severe, even through a wetsuit; having bitten, they have been known to hang on and can be very difficult to remove.
(Eucrossorhinus dasypogon)
Tasselled Wobbegong
Бородата акула китицева
It is found on the continental shelf of northern Australia, from Ningaloo Reef in the west to Bundaberg in the east, as well as around New Guinea, Waigeo, and the Aru Islands. It inhabits coral reefs, possibly exclusively, in both inshore and offshore waters from the intertidal zone to depths of around 50 m.
(Sutorectus tentaculatus)
Cobbler Wobbegong
Килимова акула темна
It is found in the subtropical eastern Indian Ocean around Western Australia between latitudes 26° S and 35° S. It inhabits rocky reefs and weedy areas at a depth of about 35 m.
(Orectolobus maculatus)
Spotted Wobbegong
Килимова акула плямиста
It is found in Australia off Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia, in the western Pacific Ocean and eastern Indian Ocean. It lives in tropical waters no deeper than 218 m.
(Orectolobus ornatus)
Ornate Wobbegong
Килимова акула витончена
It is native to eastern Australia, in the western Pacific Ocean. It lives in tropical and warm temperate waters no deeper than 100 m.
(Orectolobus parvimaculatus)
Dwarf Spotted Wobbegong
Плямистий воббегонг карликовий
It is found at depths of 9 to 135 m off south-western Australia.
(Orectolobus japonicus)
Japanese Wobbegong
Килимова акула японська
It is found in the tropical western Pacific Ocean from Japan and Korea to Vietnam and the Philippines, between latitudes 43 and 6°N, at depths of 0–200 m.
(Orectolobus halei)
Gulf Wobbegong
Килимова акула пластинчаста
It is found in southern Australia between Southport, Queensland and Norwegian Bay, Western Australia, at depths of 0–195 m.
(Orectolobus leptolineatus)
Indonesian Wobbegong
Килимова акула тонкосмуга
It is found near Indonesia, and off Sarawak. It lives in benthopelagic environments with a minimum depth range of 20 m, in tropical areas.
(Orectolobus hutchinsi)
Western Wobbegong
Західний воббенгонг
It is found on the shallow continental shelf in Western Australia from Coral Bay to Groper Bluff, at depths of 0–106 m.
(Orectolobus wardi)
Northern Wobbegong
Килимова акула північноавстралійська
It is found in the western Pacific Ocean around Australia, between latitudes 9° S to 26° S.
(Orectolobus reticulatus)
Network Wobbegong
Килимова акула сітчаста
It is found at depths of 9 to 135 m off south-western Australia.
(Orectolobus floridus)
Floral Banded Wobbegong
Килимова акула квіткова
It is found in the Indian Ocean, at depths of 42–85 m, off south-western Australia.
