Orectolobidae - wobbegongs

There are 10 species in this family of sharks. They have broad, flat bodies and are found in shallow waters in coral reefs near Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, and Japan.

Wobbegongs spend most of their time on the ocean floor or hidden in the rocks or coral. They have spots, splotches, lines of color that help camouflage them from other sea creatures, especially prey like fish, octopus, lobsters, and crabs! They have flaps of skin around their mouths that looks like shaggy carpet fringe and small, sharp teeth that help them catch prey.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

Species Around the World
Location Key Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North/Central America South America NH Species Arctic Ocean Atlantic Ocean Indian Ocean Mediterranean/Black Sea Pacific Ocean
Tasselled Wobbegong - Eucrossorhinus dasypogon Floral Banded Wobbegong - Orectolobus floridus Banded Wobbegong - Orectolobus halei Western Wobbegong - Orectolobus hutchinsi Japanese Wobbegong - Orectolobus japonicus		Spotted Wobbegong - Orectolobus maculatus Ornate Wobbegong - Orectolobus ornatus Dwarf Spotted Wobbegong - Orectolobus parvimaculatus Northern Wobbegong - Orectolobus wardi Cobbler Carpet Shark - Sutorectus tentaculatus

Additional Information

Resource Key
Profile Photos Video Audio

Ornate Wobbegong - Orectolobus ornatus
The ornate wobbegong is found of the coastlines of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School

Ornate Wobbegong - Orectolobus ornatus
The ornate wobbegong is found in coral reefs and rocky ocean bottoms at depths of 0-328 feet.
Source: Florida Museum Natural History Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: High School

Spotted Wobbegong - Orectolobus maculatus
The spotted wobbegong is found off the coast of Australia.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School

Spotted Wobbegong - Orectolobus maculatus
The spotted wobbegong has a flattened head and body.
Source: Florida Museum Natural History Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: High School

Tasselled Wobbegong - Eucrossorhinus dasypogon
The tasselled wobbegong is found off the coasts of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and northern Australia.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School

Tasselled Wobbegong - Eucrossorhinus dasypogon
The tasselled wobbegong gets its name from the lacy lobes on its chin.
Source: Florida Museum Natural History Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: High School