Spotted wobbegong (Orectolobus maculatus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Orectolobus maculatus
- Common name
- Spotted wobbegong
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Orectolobidae
- Genus
- Orectolobus
- Size
- 100–320 cm
- Depth
- 0–110 m
- IUCN status
- Near threatened (NT)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, coral-reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, predator, cryptic, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific
Description
Orectolobus maculatus reaches 3.2 m. Wobbegong shark with flattened brown-green to fawn body with marbled patterns and distinctive dark spots (hence maculatus), simpler skin barbels on snout than E. dasypogon. Lives from 0 to 110 m on rocky and coral reefs of southwestern Pacific (mainly Australia, Japan). Listed NT by IUCN. Rests in cave or under coralligenous during day, nocturnal ambush. Photo subject of Sydney, New South Wales, Queensland reef dives.
Photo of Spotted wobbegong
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Spotted wobbegong?
- Spotted wobbegong (Orectolobus maculatus) reaches 100–320 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Spotted wobbegong?
- Spotted wobbegong is found between 0–110 m deep.
- Is the Spotted wobbegong dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Spotted wobbegong?
- IUCN status: Near threatened (NT).
- Where can you find the Spotted wobbegong?
- Found in: Asian Pacific.
Other species in the family Orectolobidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 281931)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2417541)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia