Carpet shark
Orectolobus spp
Carpet sharks are masters of camouflage—their bodies feature patterns and fringed appendages around their mouths, allowing them to blend perfectly into the seafloor. They usually grow to 1–3 meters in length. They are slow-moving and spend most of their time lying on the seafloor, waiting for prey. They are not active hunters—they rely on ambushing their prey. They are not dangerous to humans, but they may bite if disturbed.
Near Threatened / VulnerableMax. délka: 3.0 m
Hmotnost: 25 kg
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical waters, mainly coral reefs and rocky bottoms.
Zajímavosti
🪸 They blend perfectly into the seabed—their patterns resemble a carpet or a rock🎭 The fringed protrusions around their mouths act as “camouflage whiskers” that break up their silhouette
⚡ They suck in their prey extremely quickly—the attack lasts only a fraction of a second
🐟 They can swallow relatively large prey considering their size
😴 They are masters of stillness—they can remain motionless for long periods, waiting for the perfect moment
🌙 They are most active at night, when they go out hunting
🦈 They don’t swim very often—instead, they “walk” along the seabed using their pectoral fins
👀 They have small eyes, but they’re excellent at sensing movement around them
🪨 They often lie even in very shallow water—sometimes you can see them almost within arm’s reach
⚠️ If a person steps on them or disturbs them, they may defend themselves by biting
🔁 Some species are ovoviviparous—the young hatch inside the female’s body
💤 During the day, they often rest among rocks or under overhangs
🌍 There are several species of carpet sharks, each with a slightly different pattern and size
