Spotted Wobbegong
Orectolobus maculatus
- Class
- Cartilaginous fish
- Rarity
- Common
- Observations
- 1,817
- Most observed in
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Description
The spotted wobbegong (Orectolobus maculatus) is a carpet shark in the family Orectolobidae, endemic to Australia. It is a large, robust species, typically reaching 150–180 centimetres (59–71 in) in length. Coloured green, yellow, or brown, it has distinctive O-shaped spots throughout its body. It is nocturnal, resting at day and feeding on fish and invertebrates at night. An ovoviviparous species, the spotted wobbegong gives birth in the spring, during which time males can act aggressively towards other males and females. It has been known to bite humans, sometimes unprovoked, which can produce severe wounds. The species is fished commercially in Australia, but it is not severely threatened. It is listed as a least-concern species on the IUCN Red List.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Spotted wobbegong”.