Page 329 - (DK) Ocean - The Definitive Visual Guide

SHARKS, RAYS, AND CHIMAERAS 327

ORDER ORECTOLOBIFORMES While it lies still, the tasseled and ledges on coral reefs. At night,
wobbegong looks like a seaweed- this highly successful ambush predator MISLEADING
Tasseled Wobbegong covered rock, which is exactly its emerges onto the reef to find a good SIMILARITY
objective. It is one of a group of vantage point from which to snap up
Eucrossorhinus dasypogon flattened, bottom-living sharks that passing fish. There is no escape from The tasseled wobbegong looks
LENGTH At least 4 / 4 ft are masters of camouflage. The the gape of its huge jaws and its remarkably similar to the angler
1
(1.3 m) squashed shape and broad, paired fins needlelike teeth for any fish straying (see p.351), which is an unrelated
WEIGHT Not recorded are further adaptations to an existence near, as the tasseled wobbegong species of bony fish. Both of
on the ocean floor. This species has a lunges up and grabs its prey. This
DEPTH At least 130 ft these predators, which specialize
(40 m) beautiful reticulated pattern of narrow, species has been reported to bite in ambushing their prey, are
dark lines against a paler background. divers who disturb it. Little is yet flattened, have broad heads,
DISTRIBUTION Southwestern Pacific off northern Around its mouth is a fringe of skin known of its biology, and reef
Australia and Papua New Guinea flaps that resemble weeds. During the destruction and overfishing have wide mouths disguised by skin
day, it rests unseen under overhangs reduced its numbers. flaps, and sharp, pointed teeth.
Following a similar lifestyle, these
two species have come up with
similar answers, an example of
convergent evolution.

eye on ORDER HETERODONTIFORMES ORDER ORECTOLOBIFORMES ORDER ORECTOLOBIFORMES
prominent
ridge Port Jackson Shark Zebra Shark Tawny Nurse Shark

Heterodontus portusjacksoni Stegostoma fasciatum Nebrius ferrugineus
1
1
LENGTH Up to 5 / 2 ft LENGTH Up to 8 ft LENGTH Up to 10 / 2 ft
(1.7 m) (2.4 m) (3.2 m)
WEIGHT Not recorded WEIGHT Not recorded WEIGHT Not recorded
DEPTH 0–900 ft DEPTH 0–210 ft DEPTH 3–230 ft (1–70 m),
(0–275 m) (0–63 m) typically 16–100 ft
(5–30 m)
DISTRIBUTION Temperate waters off southern DISTRIBUTION Indian Ocean and southwestern DISTRIBUTION Indian Ocean, western and
Australia and possibly New Zealand Pacific southwestern Pacific
This small shark belongs to a group The docile, bottom-living tawny
of about nine sluggish, bottom-living nurse shark is a favorite with
sharks called bullhead or horn sharks. underwater photographers because,
It has two dorsal fins, each with a although it may bite if harassed, it can
short spine, and large, paddlelike, be approached closely. During the day,
paired fins. It is a poor swimmer and it rests quietly in caves and channels in
uses its fins to crawl over the seabed at coral reefs, emerging at night to hunt
night in search of sea urchins, which it for invertebrates. A pair of long
grabs using its pointed front teeth and sensory barbels on either side of the
crushes using broad rear teeth. The zebra shark is often seen by mouth helps the shark to find its prey,
Females lay unusual spiral divers around coral reefs. Its long, which it crushes using wide teeth.
egg cases, which they ridged body and densely spotted
wedge into crevices. skin make it unmistakable. Juveniles
have stripes instead of spots and no
ridges. This shark spends most of the
day lying on the reef, usually facing OCEAN LIFE
dorsal fin into the current. At night, it squirms
its flexible body into cracks and
crevices on the reef, searching for
mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish.