There are all variety of creatures lurking in the oceans , sea , and evenriversof satellite Earth . From stinking , purplesea slugstobackward - travelingisopods , the saltwater environment contain brute that seem to be straight out of a phantasy film . One such creature is the tasselled wobbegong , and while it has a name to match its fantastic appearance you ’d be hard - agitate to spot one in the bass .
What is a tasselled wobbegong?
Tasselled wobbegongs ( Eucrossorhinus dasypogon ) are actually carpet sharks with prospicient , flat bodies that immix into the coral Witwatersrand where they live . They have funky coral - like branch of flesh that grow out of the sides of their faces , help to go up the scheme of the shark and help its ability toblend seamlesslyinto its surroundings .
Wobbegongs actually numerate around 12 mintage found in the family Orectolobidae , which includes the flowery wobbegong and the floral banded wobbegong .
This level ofcamouflagehelps the shark as an ambush predator , lying unseen as it waits for its quarry . Sometimes the wobbegong will even employ its tail as a hook to draw in unsuspecting fish .
Wobbegongs attack lightning fast and suck in prey via their huge jaws.Image Credit: DiveIvanov/Shutterstock
Wobbegongs have enormous mouths , and hunting at dark , imbibe prey such assquirrelfish and soldierfishinto their waiting jaws . In fact , their jaws can even dislocate , help them eat even bigger prey – as much as 80 percent their size in the case of this unfortunatebamboo shark .
Where do tasselled wobbegongs live?
Tasselled wobbegongs are found across thenorth coast of Australiaand around the waters of Papua New Guinea . Very occasionally they also occur in Indonesia . They are a comparatively common species , and are often seen on the Great Barrier Reef .
Tasselled wobbegongs are solitary and have a minor home ambit . Because of its home in the protect region of the Great Barrier Reef , the tasselled wobbegong is name asLeast Concernby the IUCN . The primary menace to this specie include episodic bycatch and the impact ofclimate changeand habitat red ink .
How big is a tasselled wobbegong?
Tasselled wobbegongs give birth to live young which are thought to measure around 20 cm ( 7.8 inches ) at birth . Full - grown adults can be 1.25 meters ( 4 base ) long .
Their lifespan is not well document , though some suggest it could bearound 26 years .
There are very few reports of these sharks aggress people , though some loon have been sting , commonly in ego - defence .
